Respiratory Service (east Kent)

Contact us

Ashford - 0300 7900272
Canterbury - 0300 1231412
Dover and Deal - 0300 123 1412
Thanet - 0300 1233027

Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm

Respiratory Team
Adult Clinical Services
Whitstable and Tankerton Hospital
Northwood Road
Whitstable
Canterbury
CT52HN

Who we are

The team is made up of specialist respiratory practitioners, respiratory nurses, associate practitioners and administrative staff.

We also have close links with the pulmonary rehabilitation team who consist of specialist physiotherapists, respiratory assistants and counsellors.

We work across east Kent covering Ashford, Canterbury, Thanet and South Kent Coast.

What we do

The Respiratory Team (east Kent) provides a specialist service to adult respiratory patients with a range of respiratory conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung disease, bronchiectasis and asthma. Whilst patients are seen predominantly in the clinic setting there is the ability to see patients at home where clinically indicated.

We provide an assessment and review service for all adult respiratory patients who require long term oxygen therapy or ambulatory oxygen.

The specialist respiratory team work closely across the boundaries between primary and secondary care whilst ensuring a seamless service for our patients who are on a respiratory pathway of care.

The service supports both national and local priorities in managing patients in the community as part of a managed care pathway whilst utilising national guidance such as NICE, BTS, SIGN and GOLD to promote evidenced based practice.

Protect your lungs this winter

Practising respiratory etiquette is key to protecting loved ones with respiratory conditions as infections such as Covid-19 and flu increase.

Find out more about the campaign and patients' top three tips. Check out the campaign on social media, #ProtectYourLungs.

How do you use this service?

You need to be referred by a GP or a healthcare professional. If you have been in hospital due to your respiratory condition then you may well have been referred to our service by the hospital respiratory team. If you are unsure please contact us.

If you are already known to our service and have any questions or require support please contact us.

Want to work with us?

Find out more about careers in respiratory nursing.

Helpful organisations

Useful respiratory links

Asthma and Lung UK

One You Kent

We provide services that can help you to stay fit, smoke free, healthy and well. If you’re not sure where to start, or just want some advice, start here. No lectures! Just friendly advice and support to make the changes that are important to you. As part of One You Kent we provide:

0300 123 1220
kentcht.nhs.uk/service/one-you-kent/

Live Well Kent

Dolby Vivisol Members Area

Local and national organisations for care and carer support

Age UK

Crossroads Care Kent/ Carers Trust

Carers’ Support

Carers UK

CROP (Citizens Rights for Older People)

Carers Trust

Local and national counselling and talking therapies

Insight Healthcare

Dover Counselling Centre

Big White Wall

Thinkaction

Mental Health Matters

MIND

FSC Talking Therapies

Resources

Inhaler technique video resources

The active cycle of breathing technique

What is the active cycle of breathing technique?

The Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) is a simple pattern of breathing which can be used by people who have problems with sputum. It is designed to:

Loosen and clear secretions Improve ventilation.

Why should I use this treatment? Continual coughing can be very stressful and over time can lead to damage to the stomach and pelvic floor muscles, which can cause muscular pain and incontinence. This technique requires less effort than coughing and will clear the sputum more quickly and easily.

How often should I spend doing it? There is no limit as to how many times per day this technique can be used.

If you have a chronic lung disease and produce a lot of sputum daily but are well, you should aim to use it at least three times per day or at the time of day when you are usually most productive. 10 minutes should be sufficient to clear secretions.

When experiencing an exacerbation, infection or when your cough is more productive than usual (whether or not you have a respiratory condition) this technique should be used half to one hourly and reduced as the infection improves and less sputum is being produced.

The parts of ACBT are breathing control

This is normal gentle breathing using the lower chest. It helps you to relax between the deep breathing and the huffing.

Breathe in and out at your own rate. Put one hand on your upper chest and the other on your belly just above your waist. As you breathe in, you should be able to feel the hand on your belly moving out (the hand on your chest shouldn’t move).

You should be able to feel the hand on your belly moving in as you exhale (breathe out) Do this for about one minute (inspiration).

You can combine the above two techniques

Deep breathing

Deep breathing image These assist in re-expanding your lung tissue and moving your secretions.

Take three slow deep breaths in through your nose if able

Relax and sigh the air out through your mouth

To make the technique more effective, you may wish to:

Hold each breath for up to three seconds.

‘Sniff’ air in through your nose quickly at the end of the deep breath in.

Huffing image

Huffing

Huffing helps to move secretions along the airways to a point where you can cough them up.

Take a moderate breath and then open your mouth wide and blow out as hard as you can, like steaming up a mirror.

You may do up to 2 huffs – in between each one perform 10 seconds of Breathing Control. If the sputum appears to have shifted then you can try the second huff from a deep breath.

Coughing

Following huffing, a small cough should now be sufficient to clear your secretions.

Do not cough unless secretions are ready to be cleared. Continue the cycle until your lungs feel clear but for no longer than 20 minutes.

If you cannot clear your secretions the first time, return to the start of the cycle and begin again.

If you cough during the cycle, return to the start.

How should I prepare?

Find a comfortable position or use the position you find helps to clear the most secretions. For example, this may be sitting in a chair, lying on your side or propped up with pillows in bed.

Relax your head, upper chest and shoulders.

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March 2024

All the nurses that I have seen have been very helpful indeed. Their knowledge of their subject is great. The advice and care they give really has made a difference to me and my family.

January 2024
Ashford

The attention to my wife is superb. We get care and support as necessary and frequently. It's the personal touch that makes this service so very special. At our last review I attended with my wife and they always go that extra mile. All the team give my wife and I their full attention.

May 2023
Ashford

Such a nice lady. She came to see me at home. She made me feel comfortable. She answered all my questions. She went over breathing exercises with me and other aspects to help me with my anxiety.

May 2023
Canterbury

Very helpful, trying to put things in place to help and put our mind at ease.

May 2023
Deal

Your service has never let me down. I can call anytime. Always making me feel better. I like the clinic and I have had home visits too. All is going so very well.

May 2023
Dover

Gemma and the team are very thorough and professional at all times.

April 2023
Dover

Very thorough, very good, no hanging around, listens and answers any questions I have.

April 2023
Thanet

So approachable, professional, sympathetic and efficient. She is so good.

April 2023
Canterbury

She is super at her job. I feel so well looked after always. If I have any issues or problems, she can be relied upon to return my call promptly.

April 2023
Ashford

Has been just brilliant - all the nurses that have been looking after me have been so kind and caring. They answer all my question, most helpful.

March 2023
Ashford

When she comes to see me, she saved my life, I was really in a bad way. Always so polite. She makes me feel at ease.

March 2023
Whitstable

The nurses are prompt, professional, caring and expert in their field.

March 2023
Thanet

Brilliant all very good. from the start. There personalities are just brilliant. Very nice people and they listen. they care about me and it shows. An excellent service.

March 2023
Dover

Very good service, given by dedicated, friendly knowledgeable nurses.

January 2023
Ashford

First class. She was so professional and very approachable and explained everything in great detail. She answered all my queries in excellent detail. An asset to the service.

January 2023
Deal

The nurses are very understanding and I just feel very confident when I have been reviewed.

January 2023
Dover

My first visit was with Debbie, she was very informative and helpful and knowledgeable. My follow up was with Holly, she to was very helpful also very knowledgeable.

December 2022
Thanet

Emily delivers an excellent service. Emily is always on time, informative and good at her job.

December 2022
Herne Bay

Keep doing what you are doing. I have always had great service from the team that are out there on the front line seeing us.

December 2022
Faversham

Becky is very good at what she does and is always caring and reassuring.

June 2022
Canterbury

Traci always happy to se me, always smiling, explains the progress and gains consent.

June 2022
Herne Bay

Suzanne has time for me, listens to me, helps me with problems, nothing is too much for Suzanne.

June 2022
Ashford

Always been helpful and knowledgeable.

May 2022
Dover

I receive a very personal care which gives support to great piece of mind.

June 2022
Canterbury

Kind, helpful, nice and smiley caring.

May 2022
Faversham

They listen to me and do their best to help me.

May 2022
Ashford

The whole team have gone above and beyond with my care.

April 2022
Deal

Marina always takes the time to listen to me and listens well, she is confidential and always helps me and does not rush.

May 2022
Herne Bay

Service has been very good and they always listen.

April 2022
Maidstone

Pedro was very thorough with his assessment.

April 2022
Dover

Staff very helpful answered all questions.

April 2022
Ashford

She was always very encouraging. I find this very uplifting.

March 2022
Herne Bay

Positive impact on health.

March 2022
Thanet

Rachel looks after me well. I am treated well and she is very respectful.

March 2022
Canterbury

I felt reassured and confident that my father was in good hands.

March 2022
Ashford

All the ladies that I have been under are all very good - always on the end of the phone. Always there for me.

February 2022
Faversham

Iwas very happy with what they did and found them very helpful.

January 2022
Tunbridge Wells

The visit helped me to stay at home rather than going into hospital.

February 2022
Thanet

I feel very cared for and happy with everything.

January 2022
Dover

Everything that could be done has been, absolutely brilliant cannot fault nurse.

December 2021
Tonbridge & Malling

I felt reassured.

December 2021
Tunbridge Wells

I found out so much information regarding my COPD from that first visit.

December 2021
Thanet

Yvonne was very helpful. Answered all my questions. Offered a great servce.

December 2021
Canterbury

I felt safe knowing that I was now on the caseload and in place of saftey and that I could call at any time.

November 2021
Ashford

Merlyn answers all my questions and she does everything she can possibly do for me.

November 2021
Herne Bay

Suzanne is excellent and on the ball with everything, cannot fault her.