Specialist Community Respiratory Service (East Kent)

Contact us

KCHT.respiratoryteam@nhs.net

Ashford – 0300 7900272
Canterbury – 0300 1231412
Dover and Deal – 0300 123 1412
Thanet – 0300 1233027

Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm

Respiratory Team
Adult Clinical Services
Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital
Northwood Road
Whitstable
Canterbury
CT52HN

Who we are

The team is made up of specialist respiratory practitioners, respiratory nurses, associate practitioners and administrative staff.

We also have close links with the pulmonary rehabilitation team who consist of specialist physiotherapists, respiratory assistants and counsellors.

We work across east Kent covering Ashford, Canterbury, Thanet and South Kent Coast.

What we do

The Respiratory Team (east Kent) provides a specialist service to adult respiratory patients with a range of respiratory conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, bronchiectasis and asthma. Whilst patients are seen predominantly in the clinic setting there is the ability to see patients at home where clinically indicated.

We provide an assessment and review service for all adult respiratory patients who require long term oxygen therapy or ambulatory oxygen.

The specialist respiratory team work closely across the boundaries between primary and secondary care whilst ensuring a seamless service for our patients who are on a respiratory pathway of care.

The service supports both national and local priorities in managing patients in the community as part of a managed care pathway whilst utilising national guidance such as NICE, BTS, SIGN and GOLD to promote evidenced based practice.

Protect your lungs this winter

Practising respiratory etiquette is key to protecting loved ones with respiratory conditions as infections such as Covid-19 and flu increase.

Find out more about the campaign and patients’ top three tips. Check out the campaign on social media, #ProtectYourLungs.

How do you use this service?

You need to be referred by a GP or a healthcare professional. If you have been in hospital due to your respiratory condition then you may well have been referred to our service by the hospital respiratory team. If you are unsure please contact us.

If you are already known to our service and have any questions or require support please contact us.

Want to work with us?

Find out more about careers in respiratory nursing.

Resources

Inhaler technique video resources

• Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI)
• Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) with large volume spacer device
• Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) with small volume spacer device
• Accuhaler inhaler
• Autohaler inhaler
• Breezhaler inhaler
• Easi-Breathe inhaler
• Easyhaler inhaler
• Ellipta inhaler
• Forspiro inhaler
• Genuair inhaler
• Spiriva Handihaler inhaler
• NEXThaler inhaler
• Novolizer inhaler
• Respimat inhaler
• Spiromax inhaler
• Turbohaler inhaler

The active cycle of breathing technique

What is the active cycle of breathing technique?

The Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) is a simple pattern of breathing which can be used by people who have problems with sputum. It is designed to:

Loosen and clear secretions Improve ventilation.

Why should I use this treatment? Continual coughing can be very stressful and over time can lead to damage to the stomach and pelvic floor muscles, which can cause muscular pain and incontinence. This technique requires less effort than coughing and will clear the sputum more quickly and easily.

How often should I spend doing it? There is no limit as to how many times per day this technique can be used.

If you have a chronic lung disease and produce a lot of sputum daily but are well, you should aim to use it at least three times per day or at the time of day when you are usually most productive. 10 minutes should be sufficient to clear secretions.

When experiencing an exacerbation, infection or when your cough is more productive than usual (whether or not you have a respiratory condition) this technique should be used half to one hourly and reduced as the infection improves and less sputum is being produced.

The parts of ACBT are breathing control

This is normal gentle breathing using the lower chest. It helps you to relax between the deep breathing and the huffing.

Breathe in and out at your own rate. Put one hand on your upper chest and the other on your belly just above your waist. As you breathe in, you should be able to feel the hand on your belly moving out (the hand on your chest shouldn’t move).

You should be able to feel the hand on your belly moving in as you exhale (breathe out) Do this for about one minute (inspiration).

You can combine the above two techniques

Deep breathing

These assist in re-expanding your lung tissue and moving your secretions.

Take three slow deep breaths in through your nose if able

Relax and sigh the air out through your mouth

To make the technique more effective, you may wish to:

Hold each breath for up to three seconds.

‘Sniff’ air in through your nose quickly at the end of the deep breath in.

Huffing

Huffing helps to move secretions along the airways to a point where you can cough them up.

Take a moderate breath and then open your mouth wide and blow out as hard as you can, like steaming up a mirror.

You may do up to 2 huffs – in between each one perform 10 seconds of Breathing Control. If the sputum appears to have shifted then you can try the second huff from a deep breath.

Coughing

Following huffing, a small cough should now be sufficient to clear your secretions.

Do not cough unless secretions are ready to be cleared. Continue the cycle until your lungs feel clear but for no longer than 20 minutes.

If you cannot clear your secretions the first time, return to the start of the cycle and begin again.

If you cough during the cycle, return to the start.

How should I prepare?

Find a comfortable position or use the position you find helps to clear the most secretions. For example, this may be sitting in a chair, lying on your side or propped up with pillows in bed.

Relax your head, upper chest and shoulders.

Helpful organisations

Useful respiratory links

Asthma and Lung UK

We are the UK’s leading asthma research charity. The research we support helps us understand the causes of asthma, reduce asthma attacks, find new treatments for severe asthma, turn discoveries in the lab into new treatments and ultimately find a cure.

0300 222 5800
www.asthmaandlung.org.uk

One You Kent

We provide services that can help you to stay fit, smoke free, healthy and well. If you’re not sure where to start, or just want some advice, start here. No lectures! Just friendly advice and support to make the changes that are important to you. As part of One You Kent we provide:

• One You Lifestyle Advisors
• One You Health Walks
• One You Shop
• One You smokefree
• One You weight loss
• NHS Health Checks

0300 123 1220
kentcht.nhs.uk/service/one-you-kent/

Live Well Kent

0800 567 7699
info@livewellkent.org.uk

Dolby Vivisol Members Area

We provide support with oxygen equipment, 24/7, 365 days a year.

0800 917 9840
patient.support@dolbyvivisol.com
dolbyvivisol.com

Local and national organisations for care and carer support

Age UK

Whether you care from a distance or are a live in carer for a partner or relative, find out about your rights, the support available to you and how to continue your caring role while keeping yourself in a good health. Visit the care and support section on the website.

0800 055 6112
ageuk.org.uk

Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9NA

Crossroads Care Kent/ Carers Trust

Provides a rapid response service for all carers to support families at a time of emergency or crisis.

0845 9003735 (Monday to Friday)

Out of hours: 03300 100177

Carers’ Support

Provide support for carers in Canterbury, Dover and Thanet, including options for short breaks and respite.

01304 364637
07545 916214
support@carers-doverdistrict.org

Carers UK

Provides information, advise and support for carers who look after an older, disabled or seriously ill family member or friend.

0808 8087777 (Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4pm)
info@carersuk.org
carersuk.org

20 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4LX

CROP (Citizens Rights for Older People)

CROP (Citizens’ Rights for Older People) is a charity setup to deal with any problem that may require a second opinion or some intervention from an experienced volunteer to help out.

01622 851200
cropkent.org.uk

Carers Trust

Works to improve support services and recognition for anyone living with challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addition problems.

0300 772 9600
info@carers.org
www.carers.org

Carers Trust, 32-36 Loman Street, London, SE1 0EH

Local and national counselling and talking therapies

Insight Healthcare

Offer confidential NHS talking therapy services if you are experiencing common issues such as low mood, depression, trauma, anxiety, panic stress, loss etc.  The therapy can take place over the phone or online, where that is suitable.

0300 555 5555

Dover Counselling Centre

01304 204123

Main office in Dover, recently expanded and will see clients from Folkestone and Romney Marsh also.

Big White Wall

National website with online guided support and counselling.

bigwhitewall.com

Thinkaction

0300 012 0012
thinkaction.org.uk

Mental Health Matters

Free 24 hours helpline for confidential and emotional support from support workers.

0800 107 0160
mentalhealthmatters.com

MIND

mind.org.uk

FSC Talking Therapies

Canterbury, Faversham, Herne bay and Whitstable.

01795 591019

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