This project began as part of our response to the NHS Long Term Plan, which included increasing access to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) services. We started by looking at data of local demographics to pinpoint health inequalities in accessing pulmonary rehabilitation (PR)
One group stood out: the local Nepalese community. Despite being a significant part of our local population, there had only been eight PR referrals over four years.
We found a few key barriers:
After speaking with referrers, we aimed to raise awareness and create posters in Nepalese. However, it became clear that posters weren’t the right solution, as many community members couldn’t read them
Building Trust Through Community Engagement
Looking into a written approach, we connected with a liaison from the Integrated Care Board, who introduced us to a project manager working closely with the Nepalese community.
We started attending regular community group meetings and ran engagement sessions with the help of Nepalese-speaking facilitators. Through these, we created a simple, culturally sensitive information sheet to support self-referrals.
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Pop-Up Clinics: We ran our first clinic for self-referred individuals, offering screening, education, and support. Two Nepalese-speaking nurses led the sessions, and the response was extremely positive.
Challenges and What’s Next
While the pop-up clinics are going strong, the full PR programme is currently on hold due to funding issues. The team is aiming to secure financial support so that the progress can continue!