9 December 2020

Pulmonary fibrosis: patients say they are missing out on vital rehab after Covid-19 pandemic

People with pulmonary fibrosis may be missing out on vital rehabilitation programmes as a result of Covid-19, according to the results of a survey conducted by the Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust.

The trust’s online survey – which elicited responses from 263 respondents (150 patients and 113 carers or former carers) – found that more than a third (37 per cent) reported that their pulmonary exercise and education programmes had stalled since the start of the pandemic. 

 

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In a Q&A primary care pioneer Amanda Hensman-Crook explains how you can follow her lead

What is an MSK first contact practitioner/advanced practitioner in primary care?

A first contact practitioner (FCP) is a diagnostic clinician working in primary care at the top of their clinical scope of practice. This allows the FCP to be able to assess and manage undifferentiated and undiagnosed musculoskeletal (MSK) presentations. It is the minimum threshold for working as a first point of contact in primary care.

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Rachael Moses' new role is a 'monumental occasion' for physiotherapy

Rachael Moses is to become the first president of the British Thoracic Society (BTS) whose professional background lies outside medicine. While four women have previously been president, they all had medical backgrounds and three were professors.

Physiotherapist Ms Moses takes up the reins at the society’s annual general meeting on 2 December and will be president until the end of 2021. The BTS has almost 4,000 members.

For a physiotherapist and allied health professional (AHP) to lead a world-class organisation in the president’s role is a monumental occasion

She is currently associate director for rehabilitation and therapies at the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust in London and led the AHP input at the NHS Nightingale Hospital of London, built as part of the UK emergency response to Covid-19 earlier this year.

What does it mean to you – and for the physiotherapy profession – to be taking up such a prestigious, high-profile post?

‘The BTS is a forward-thinking organisation that truly embraces multi-professional working. In the world of respiratory medicine, clinicians are genuinely valued for the unique contribution they bring to enhancing patient care and outcome – irrespective of their professional qualifications.

‘For a physiotherapist and allied health professional (AHP) to lead a world-class organisation in the president’s role is a monumental occasion. 

‘I hope me being in such a high-profile role will inspire others to reach for the sky and demonstrate the true potential we have as nurses and AHPs.'

Voicing its 'delight' at announcing Ms Moses’ new position, the BTS said: ‘Throughout her career, Rachael has worked alongside a huge range of respiratory professionals. 

‘She is a strong advocate of the role of multidisciplinary teams in respiratory care, and of the contribution of each and every profession that make up the respiratory workforce.

‘She also holds a special interest in understanding and addressing inequalities across healthcare with regards to access, equality, inclusion and diversity for both service users and staff. 

Ms Moses is a long-standing BTS member and has previously been a council member. As well as sitting on the education and training committees, she had also held positions with several specialist advisory groups, the BTS statement added.

For more information on the BTS, visit: https://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk

See also the news article on this site titled Prominent physio fears 'medical model' could dominate in new 'long Covid' units

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