Whakakotahitia a Mate Romahā
The Integrated Respiratory Service transitioned to Pegasus Health in December 2023.
Established in 2008, the Integrated Respiratory Service has been fundamental in helping more people get support for their breathing conditions.
Diagnostic tests like spirometry and sleep studies are now able to be done in the community, closer to people in their homes, not just in the hospital.
Better Breathing Pulmonary Rehabilitation is the only evidence-based intervention available for people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) and the community respiratory team deliver nine programmes a year throughout the region.
Community support and exercise groups are there to maintain exercise goals, and to remain connected with other people with similar conditions.
The Better Breathing Consumer Group represent the Better Breathing programmes and support groups and contribute to the development of new services and patient materials.
Specialist respiratory nurses and physicians are available to support general practice teams and community providers to look after their respiratory patients.
The Integrated Respiratory Service is overseen by the Integrated Respiratory Service Development Group (IRSDG), which includes representatives from consumers, Māori, Pasifika, general practice, community pharmacy, hospital and district nursing.
The regular Better Breathing Programme exercise and coffee morning has taken on a celebratory air, with previous speakers invited to join the festivities to mark World COPD Day (15 November 2017).
Pauline Mohi, lead organiser in the exercise and coffee morning sessions, knows just how important getting together is.
“Having these sessions available is really important – I’ve had some people tell me these sessions are their only link to the outside world.
“Some people have improved so much. While I’m talking away they are not thinking about what exercises they are doing – they are engaging and enjoying.”
The Better Breathing Programme is a pulmonary rehabilitation programme offered free in the community. It includes education and exercise sessions designed to equip people with respiratory conditions like COPD to manage their condition.
The Better Breathing Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme has had a facelift post-COVID. During the lo...
Long-standing Community Respiratory Service volunteer Pauline Mohi was acknowledged by the respirato...
Key messages from IRSDG
In the latest edition of the Community Respiratory Nursing Service newsletter there's advice abo...
In the latest edition of the Community Respiratory Nursing Service newsletter there's coverage o...
The latest Windmill newsletter is out now, featuring a story from consumer Pat Neville and contact d...
Deborah Callahan
deborah.callahan@pegasus.health.nz
Catherine Harrison
catherine.harrison@pegasus.health.nz
For Integrated Respiratory SDG. Read full CCN work plan.
Information about Canterbury Community Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
Poster showing the funded inhalers in New Zealand 2019.
Flyer with details of the community respiratory support and exercise groups.
Breathing Breathing Programme - a patient perspective.