Respiratory Services:

• Chronic Respiratory Disease Management (CRDM)Team Melbourne Easy Breathers) - co-locate across RMH and Merri Community Health Services to provide both an acute and community service.

Services provided by HARP CRDM Program

The following services are provided for clients referred into the Program:

• Facilitation of complex discharge planning.
• Initial and review assessments.
• Key worker to coordinate interventions.
• Care planning and short term care coordination.
• Client action plans.
• Liaison with local general practitioners.
• Education and self management support, including Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs and a Transitional Exercise Program (which aims to transition clients into appropriate community exercise options once self management has been achieved).
• Specialist consultation as appropriate and available.
• Outreach home visits as required.

Chronic Respiratory Disease Management Team - Melbourne Easy Breathers

The Melbourne Easy Breathers Program aims to support people with a Chronic Respiratory Disease (and their carers), in the community, to promote self management and minimise admission to acute care facilities. Any person with a diagnosis of a Chronic Respiratory Disease who meets the eligibility criteria can be referred.

The pulmonary rehabilitation program consists of an 8-week program of education and exercise tailored to the individual. The program is based in the community, Coburg and Essendon. Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a comprehensive multi-disciplinary program that aims to improve quality of life, reduce dyspnoea and increase functional exercise capacity.

People not suitable or unable to attend a group program, may receive home based services to facilitate the above aims. Participants will be referred to additional community-based services where appropriate.

Eligibility: Chronic Respiratory- Hospital presentation in the last 12 months due to symptoms of chronic respiratory disease and at least one of the following:

-          Diagnosis of COPD with a respiratory function test demonstrating FEV1 <60% or FEV1/FVC <60%

-          Diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Asbestosis, Bronchiectasis, Interstitial Lung Disease or Cystic Fibrosis as demonstrated on CT scan.

-          Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension as demonstrated on Echocardiogram.

Chronic Asthma - 2 or more hospital presentations in the last 12 months due to symptoms of asthma.

Location: The Melbourne Easy Breathers Program operates from Merri Community Health Service (Coburg Site) and Essendon Uniting Church Hall.