Who we are? What we do?
We are a team of Physiotherapists, who specialise in the assessment, treatment and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) within your own home.
We support your GP in managing your breathing condition; hospital staff to discharge you home in a timely and supported manner; and to enable you to live a longer and healthier life at home. We can support you during an exacerbation (flare up) of your COPD and can provide longer term support.
Where are we based?
St Roque
Astley Ainslie Hospital
133 Grange Loan
Edinburgh
EH9 2HL
Tel: 0131 537 9456
How to access?
Your GP or Health Care Professional can refer you to CRT.
How long will you wait?
Urgent Referrals
If you are particularly unwell with your exacerbation, the GP or Health Care Professional can call CRT directly to discuss how we can support you. If it is urgent, it is likely you will receive a telephone called and/or be seen within 24-48hours, including at weekends.
Routine Referrals
If you have had a lot of exacerbations (flare ups) but are not currently unwell, being discharged from hospital or having a general decline in your condition, we would offer a routine appointment as capacity allows. The waiting times can vary between 2-3 weeks.
Your first appointment, what to expect?
You will be contacted by a member of the team to arrange a home visit. If we are unable to reach you by telephone on two occasions, we will send you a letter. If you fail to contact us before the date specified on the letter, we will discharge you back to the GP.
Our first visit may take up to 1 hour. We will perform a number of observational tests such as oxygen levels, heart rate, listen to your chest and take your blood pressure. We may also ask you about any of your other health conditions, you inhalers and how you take these. It would be helpful to have a repeat prescription to hand for us although this is not essential.
We will discuss how we can support you at the present time and also how we can support you in the longer term. We will discuss any goals you would like to achieve and also what’s important to you. This many involve transferring your care to other health care professionals after discussing the benefits with you.
What resources are there to support my health condition?
In the meantime, you may find useful information in the Resources to Support your Condition section.
Below are some links that you may find of particular interest:
