The adult integrated respiratory (AIR) pulmonary rehabilitation (AIR PR) team are currently working towards PRSAS accreditation. The accreditation scheme is endorsed by the Royal College of Physicians and recognises high quality and safety in a service.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a specialist programme of exercise and education to support people diagnosed with a  such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiectasis and interstitial disease. 

The AIR Team are particularly focussed on improving access to PR for health inequality groups.

Watch the video about how our classes benefit those living with a long-term lung condition:

See the FHFT  for more videos.

Our course is made for everyone and tailored to your needs.  The sessions will help you cope with , improve your fitness levels, and give you a better understanding of your condition.

  • At the start of the program, a healthcare professional will assess you and talk to you about the program.

  • They will use the assessments to design an exercise program personalised for you and help you decide on a goal to aim for that’s personal to you.

  • At the end of the program, you will be assessed again, to measure any improvement.

  • The group exercise sessions consist of supervised exercise twice a week for 6 weeks.
  • Home PR is a 6 week course with independent exercise, weekly telephone calls and 3 home visits.
  • With both programmes you will start off slowly and progress as you are able.
  • Exercises are designed to be functional and may include:
  • Walking and cycling on an exercise bike.
  • Strengthening exercises for the legs and arms.
  • Flexibility and balance exercises.

The education sessions are run by a Respiratory multi disciplinary team including nurses, physiotherapists and assistant psychologists and include:

  • Information on how your lungs work
  • How different types of respiratory disease affect the lungs
  • Using inhalers and taking other respiratory medications
  • Managing breathlessness
  • Healthy eating, managing stress and anxiety, how to keep your chest clear and many more!

Pulmonary rehabilitation is one of the best things you can do to improve your breathing and wellbeing and is an evidence based core treatment for chronic lung disease.

PR can also reduces the frequency of exacerbations (flare-ups) and helps you stay well and out of hospital. Other benefits include:

  • Normal day to day activities such as showering, hanging out the washing, walking, or gardening will become easier. Regular exercise helps to reverse the cycle of inactivity and make exercise a part of your daily routine.
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation helps you to manage your lung condition, by providing valuable information such as breathing techniques, using your medications and strategies for conserving your energy.
  • It is also a great opportunity to meet others with a lived experience of chronic lung disease, which fosters friendships, gives a sense of belonging and connection to a supportive, understanding community.

Location Days Times
Windsor Scout Hut Monday 10-12am
SL4 5EY Wednesday 2.30-3.30pm
Bracknell Open Learning Centre Tuesday 10-12am
RG12 7GR Friday 2.30-3.30pm
Woodlands Park Village Centre, Maidenhead Wednesday 2-3pm
SL6 3GY Friday 2.30-3.30pm
Britwell Scout Hut, Slough Tuesday 2.30-3.30pm
SL2 1TJ Thursday 1.30-3.30pm

The longer sessions include the 60 minute education session.

A six week course is available at home for those unable to attend the face-to-face classes.

This course is designed for those that have no transport or work. Although this course is effective, it is not as effective as the group classes.

With the home programme we will support you a face to face assessment, weekly telephone calls and a home visit at three weeks and at six weeks from one of our physiotherapy assistants.

At your finisher assessment you will be given information about how to keep progressing and maintain the benefits you have gained through PR. This could be through our maintenance classes, a gym referral or a personalised home exercise programme.

You will also be given information on local support groups for people living with lung disease.