Centre for Pulmonary Rehabilitation in North Bay expands free services
The Centre for Pulmonary Rehabilitation, which operates out of the Village at Canadore College, is expanding pulmonary rehabilitation services for patients in North Bay and surrounding areas.
“Rehabilitation services will now be offered both virtually or in-person,” the centre said in a news release Friday, “and will feature the same exercises and educational programs to improve muscle strength and respiratory management for patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a common lung disease causing restricted airflow and breathing problems.
“The expanded services will be available to patients free of charge.”
A survey by Health Quality Ontario showed a severe shortage in pulmonary rehabilitation resources in the province.
“Currently, only one to two per cent of COPD patients in Ontario have access to pulmonary rehabilitation,” Dr. Maya DeZoysa, respirologist and director of pulmonary rehabilitation at the centre, said in a news release.
“Considering how much of an impact pulmonary rehabilitation can have on breathing and improving symptoms for those with COPD, increasing the availability in North Bay is significant.”
The Centre has been providing pulmonary rehabilitation services locally for 18 years, but a lack of funding has made it challenging to meet community needs.
A recent collaboration between the CPR and the Nipissing Wellness Ontario Health Team is behind the expansion of pulmonary rehabilitation to include both virtual and community-based programs.
Both are eight-week programs with two sessions per week.
"Nipissing Wellness Ontario Health Team is committed to enhancing access to best practice care for all who live with chronic conditions such as COPD,” Wendy Smith, executive lead, transformation and strategy, said in the release.
“Rehabilitation is a non-invasive self-management approach to COPD that has been proven to enhance quality of life.”
“As a collective, organizations within NWOHT are working together with Ontario Health and the Ministry of Health to provide the resources necessary to improve the lives of our local population. This is one of many initiatives that we have embarked on together, and we look forward to continued opportunities to support our local community,” Smith added.
“Most patients who are referred for pulmonary rehabilitation have a hard time walking, even for five minutes,” said Tammy Draper, the centre’s president.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“Most are unsure of how to manage during a flare up or they don’t understand what COPD is; they are only told that they have it. We empower the patient with 12 hours of education and strengthening, helping to reduce the symptoms of COPD.”
“Most people with COPD have had to give up things they love such as hunting, fishing, walking with their grandkids, or simply bringing their garbage out to the curb. Pulmonary rehabilitation helps them regain their confidence,” Draper said.
“The program helps me to have the confidence to leave my home and manage my breathing,” said Anita Rheume, a virtual rehabilitation patient.
“I’ve learned how to breathe properly and go for walks without being so short of breath. I’ve learned about my COPD and how to manage it. I wish I had this sooner, and others with COPD could take advantage of it.”
“Clinics like the Centre for Pulmonary Rehabilitation are the reason we created The Village in the first place,” said Canadore President and CEO George Burton.
“To provide practical experience for our students and much-needed healthcare for our communities.”
The Village is a health and wellness training facility at Canadore College. A unique model in Canada, the facility focuses on collaborative inter-professional education and the integration of Indigenous, Eastern, and Western healing and wellness practices.
Students in Canadore’s Human Care, Health Science and Social Services, and Sport and Recreation programs are learning there and getting practical experience in clinics like CPR.
For more information, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.