LEEP
The Lung Exercise and Education Programme (known at North Bristol NHS Trust as “LEEP”) is a Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme for people who are limited by breathlessness from a chronic lung condition.
LEEP began at Frenchay Hospital in 1994. It has evolved, moved locations, and adapted to improve the programme, patient experience, and to meet the growing demand.
LEEP values and mission
- We are a dynamic, friendly, and innovative team.
- We are dedicated to the delivery of excellent, evidence-based Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
- The programme is well supported and valued by our team and patients.
- We believe in giving everyone limited by their lung condition the opportunity to improve their physical condition and quality of life.
- We do this through patient-centred care and shared decision making.
Who runs LEEP?
LEEP is led by the Respiratory Specialist Physiotherapists, with support from our Respiratory Consultant Team.
Similar programmes are also run by Sirona Care and Health in the community in areas such as Southmead, Bradley Stoke, Knowle and Weston-super-Mare. Full details can be found on their website: Community Respiratory Team: Pulmonary Rehabilitation – Sirona care & health NHS services
What happens on the programme?
LEEP is a 6-week programme. You will attend two sessions a week (Tuesday and Friday afternoons) at Cossham Hospital (total 12 sessions). Each session is usually just under two hours long and includes:
- An hour of supervised exercise tailored to your abilities and symptoms.
- An educational session about living with lung disease and strategies to help manage this yourself.
LEEP aims to encourage and support you to understand more about your lung condition, manage your symptoms better, and have the right information to help you make informed decisions about your self-management. For example, recognising and managing chest infections, and knowing when to seek medical help.
The education sessions are delivered by Physiotherapists, Consultants, Specialist Registrars, Psychologists, Nurses, and Physiotherapy Exercise Technicians.
Why LEEP?
There is strong scientific evidence for Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and it is recommended for managing chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD, bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis. The benefits include:
- Improvement in exercise tolerance.
- Improvement in quality of life.
- Improvement in confidence in doing physical activities.
All of these have a positive impact on mood and wellbeing. People say they feel more in control of their condition after completing the programme.
Evidence also suggests that people that have completed pulmonary rehabilitation within the last 12 months are less likely to be admitted to hospital with an exacerbation (episode of worsening) of their condition. Those that are admitted have a much shorter hospital stay than those who haven’t done Pulmonary Rehab.
Who can do LEEP?
It is suitable for anyone diagnosed with a chronic respiratory condition who is limited by breathlessness in daily life, such as walking on the flat, walking on hills, doing chores etc. You can repeat Pulmonary Rehabilitation, after 12 months, if your condition has got worse or you haven’t been able to maintain regular exercise since finishing the programme.
LEEP receives referrals from GPs, practice nurses, pharmacists, community teams, and the Respiratory Specialist Team and Hospital Consultants at Southmead Hospital. You can also self-refer – see the section below for details.
(Information for clinicians referring to LEEP can be found here: Pulmonary Rehabilitation (Remedy BNSSG ICB))
Everyone referred to the service is invited to come to an introductory session to explain the programme and choices available, including alternative venues or days of the week that are offered by Sirona. You are then offered and booked into individual assessment appointments to take your full medical history and to make sure the programme is suitable for you and enrolled to start.
Self-referral
We are keen to make sure you have easy access to Pulmonary Rehabilitation in your local area. You can refer yourself to LEEP in 2 ways:
- Phone the LEEP self-referral line on 0117 414 2009. Leave a message with your name and phone number. LEEP staff will contact you within one week to complete the process.
- Email the LEEP team at leepinfo@nbt.nhs.uk
What happens afterwards?
After the 6-week course, you will be given a discharge assessment to gather information about how you have benefited from the programme. This is sent back to your doctor.
We will help you make individual exercise plan is also set to help you to maintain increased activity levels long term.
Feedback from people who have recently completed LEEP
“It would only be to your advantage and you’re allowed to take the sessions at your own pace”
“I found all of it helpful and got inspiration from watching others in worse health than me, doing the course”
“The thought of physical exercise frightened me but the programme encouraged me to try and push myself”
“The staff are so helpful in explaining and giving confidence to cope with your condition”
“Anyone with chest problems can only gain from this course, apart from meeting other people affected, and building confidence and knowledge of how you can improve your condition”
© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published March 2025. Review due March 2028. NBT003758.
Contact LEEP
The LEEP Team can be contact on 0117 4142010 or via email at leep@nbt.nhs.uk. Referrals are accepted via emailed LEEP referral form*, on the ICE referral system or at: The LEEP Office, Physiotherapy Department, Cossham Hospital, Lodge Road, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 1LF.
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