Our Breathing Space team, comprising our Doctor, Occupational Therapist, and Physiotherapist, were joined by patients and carers who were at the Breathing Space clinic for their appointments.
The group shared a highly-praised chocolate cake, made by our wonderful catering team and sang happy birthday to Breathing Space!
Pictured below: Head Chef, Dave Bridgeman with the cake.
Speaking with Delia from Knaresborough after her third appointment at Breathing Space she said: “The sessions have been marvellous, beautiful, relaxing – they do help. I was referred here by my GP and I’m glad I came. It’s a nice place and Corrien is lovely. They’ve taught me techniques for how to relax when my breath gets tight.”
An anonymous patient living with COPD told us: “I was referred by the hospital respiratory team and I can’t fault it here at the Breathing Space clinic. It’s brilliant that you get to see the same Doctor, Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist from visit to visit. Because you see the same people, you know where you’re going with your care. The sessions give you the time to explain how your feeling and any worries you might have, and there’s time to talk through how to manage the breathlessness – what to do, what not to do, what medication to take or not to take. I’ve been taught breathing exercises and how to do them properly. Also, sitting outside on the patio is so relaxing!”
Les and Margaret joined the celebrations whilst here for Les’ second session at the clinic. Both aged 92, the husband and wife from Pannal who have been married for 69 years said: “Les was referred here by the nurse, and we’re all for doing everything we can to keep us going! Although we’ve only been for one session so far, we can see it’s a fantastic place with a beautiful setting and lovely patio where you can sit and watch trains go by.”
Pictured below: Margaret and Les Hornby enjoying Breathing Space’s first birthday cake
To find out more about Breathing Space, or to make a referral, visit our information webpage: https://saintmichaelshospice.org/how-we-help/saint-michaels-wellbeing-network/breathing-space/
We are grateful to Hospice UK and St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation for funding the launch of the service, which covered staff time and equipment for patients such as handheld fans and printed materials.
