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For healthcare professionals

Thanks for your interest in Pulmonary rehab. Please see the below information on how to refer to our service.
 
Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a programme of moderate intensity exercise and education for patients with chronic lung disease and impacted by breathlessness. Patients are expected to attend twice per week for six weeks. Pulmonary rehabilitation should be offered to all patients MRC 3 and above, as well as any patients who feel functionally limited by breathlessness, or exacerbate frequently.

How to refer

Primary Care

Please complete the relevant referral form and send it to the appropriate email address as below.
 

Whittington Health Secondary Care services

Use the Pulmonary Rehabilitation referral form on ICE.
 

Other Secondary Care services

If you are referring for the Post Exacerbation Pulmonary Rehabilitation pathway or pre/ post operative patients, please send in the clinical letter to 
whh-tr.pulmonaryrehab@nhs.net – clearly stating in the subject of the email as ‘Urgent referral’
 
For routine Pulmonary Rehabilitation referrals, please email clinical letter to the appropriate email address as below.
 
Please provide a copy of the most recent spirometry (COPD) or high-resolution imaging results along with MRC breathlessness score to the appropriate email address:
 
For patients with an Islington GP email arti.centralbooking@nhs.net
 
For patients with an Haringey GP email haringey.adult-referrals@nhs.net

Structure of the Pulmonary Rehab programme

Following clinical triage to confirm that patients meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria (as outlined below), eligible patients will be invited to attend an initial assessment at one of the designated community venues (see overview section).
 
Patients deemed suitable following the initial assessment will be offered a six-week programme, consisting of two sessions per week. Sessions will include individually prescribed exercise and supported self-management education.
 
At the end of the six-week programme, participants will be invited to attend a final assessment. A summary report will then be shared with the patient’s GP.

Inclusion Criteria (must meet all criteria)

Please feel free to contact the service should you want to discuss your referral queries.
 
  • Patient should be registered with a Islington or Haringey GP.
  • Aged 18 years or over.
  • Consent to referral after full explanation.
  • Confirmed Respiratory diagnosis (COPD, Asthma, ILD, Bronchiectasis) with breathlessness that limits functional ability (usually MRC 3 – 5). (Patients with MRC 2 are also welcome if they are experiencing frequent flare ups).
  • Medical management is optimised.
  • Able to walk 5m independently (with or without walking aids).
  • Able to follow simple commands (in a group environment).
  • Can commit to attending twice a week for 6 weeks (if not, once a week may be offered).
  • The patient is able to make their own way to the venue (Please find links to taxi card / dial a ride and disabled freedom pass).

Exclusion Criteria

  • Severe/uncontrolled heart failure.
  • Uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias or hypertension.
  • Myocardial Infarct in last 6 weeks.
  • Unstable angina.
  • Any other unstable cardiac disease.
  • Untreated/uncontrolled diabetes or epilepsy.
  • Infection control risk e.g. untreated pulmonary TB.
  • Significant co-morbidities e.g. stroke, dementia, severe arthritis that render the patient unsafe/unable to exercise in a group setting.
  • Aortic stenosis / AAA (greater than 5cm).

NOTE: If patient requires 1:1 rehabilitation please consider other community options such as Islington REACH Team/ Haringey ICTT/ discuss with team.
Last updated21 Apr 2026