Breathing help and support

Hospital at Home (H@H)

The Hospital at Home (Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees only) service is a team of health professionals who are experienced in caring and treating patients with breathing problems.

The team will provide timely, safe and effective care and treatment to patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) within their own home and, or community setting, who are experiencing breathing difficulties.

The purpose of the service is to treat patients with COPD in such a way that they do not need to go into hospital for treatment.

The Hospital at Home Team can provide the treatment for a COPD exacerbation at home but you need to be referred by a healthcare provider initially so contact your GP practice and request a referral.

• British Lung Foundation – Managing COPD flare up

Mental Health and Psychological Support

It is not uncommon for those with breathing problems to experience periods of anxiety and/or depression.

Breathlessness can often cause anxiety and feelings of panic. Anxiety tends to make the feeling of breathlessness stronger, which leads to more anxiety. It is important to remember that breathlessness in itself is not harmful, and you will recover your breathing when you rest. It is also possible to try to control the level of anxiety you are feeling, and it is often beneficial to use some self-help methods to assist with the management of this. For example, mindfulness or relaxation techniques.

• Think Well
• Dealing with your mental health, anxiety and depression
• Headspace
• Samaritans
• Mind
• We Can Talk
• ICU Steps
• IMPACT on Teesside 
  30 Yarm Road
  Stockton-On-Tees
  TS18 3NA
  01642 796630

Breathing conditions support

For any further information or support with your breathing condition, including condition education, COVID-19 or financial support when living with a breathing condition the British Lung Foundation is an important resource.

Useful welfare support information

• British Lung Foundation welfare support and advice