A new professional development framework to support the expansion of pulmonary rehabilitation services within the NHS has been launched by the British Thoracic Society (BTS).
The framework aims to support recruitment and professional growth among multidisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation teams, identify gaps in core skills so appropriate learning and development can be accessed, and to ensure patients receive the best possible care.
The BTS noted that the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation were outlined in the 2019 NHS Long Term Plan and that the 2024 Royal College of Physicians’ National Respiratory Audit Programme recommended supporting these services to ensure all patients with chronic respiratory disease have timely access to a quality assured services by 2026.
‘However, a shortfall in pulmonary rehabilitation capacity already exists, with long waiting times for programmes despite only a third of eligible patients being referred,’ the BTS said, adding that there has previously been no recognised career framework to support professional development in this area.
Pulmonary rehabilitation professional development framework
Its new Professional Development Framework for Pulmonary Rehabilitation highlights the specific skill set that is required of members of the multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, face-to-face, patient-centred services.
Aimed at each of the four UK home nations, the framework specifies that these services should be led by a registered healthcare professional with cardio-respiratory and pulmonary rehabilitation expertise. It also reflects the four pillars of practice for all healthcare professionals: clinical practice, leadership and management, research and education.
BTS said it ‘hopes this framework can be used alongside the 2023 BTS Clinical Statement and the upcoming BTS Quality Standard, to ensure the best possible health outcomes for patients and the growth, recruitment and retention of a skilled PR workforce’.
Establishing a career pathway
Commenting on the framework, its lead author Dr Samantha Kon, consultant chest physician at the Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Harefield Hospital, said: ‘This framework maps the specific skills required to deliver different roles in pulmonary rehabilitation.
‘By establishing a career pathway, we will enable the recruitment and retention of a competent multidisciplinary workforce, ensuring that patients with chronic respiratory disease have timely access to high-quality pulmonary rehabilitation.’
Maria Buxton, consultant physiotherapist at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, added: ‘It creates a framework on which to build a multidisciplinary team, explore skill mix and support conversation regarding what skills and experience are required in the workforce to deliver high quality Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
‘Its aim is not to describe competencies, but address the skills and experience needed at each banding level irrespective of profession.’