06/11/2026
The Western Trust Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) service is pleased to have been able to deliver an ILD Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme for patient group within the Omagh, Strabane and Fermanagh areas in addition to a similar programme in Altnagelvin.
Siobhan Donnelly, Interstitial Lung Disease, Respiratory Nurse Specialist at the Western Trust explained:
“This programme ran over a 6 week period, which involved 2 sessions weekly. The programme was delivered within the Omagh Leisure Complex, which involved both exercise and education components delivered by Siobhan Donnelly ILD Nurse Specialist and Sorcha Johnston Pulmonary Rehab Physiotherapist. The programme was complemented by representatives from the Multi-disciplinary Team and also from Pulmonary Fibrosis NI and Chest Heart & Stroke.”
Siobhan added:
“Patients with ILD suffer from symptoms such as dyspnoea, cough, fatigue, anxiety and depression. Individuals with ILD can have reduced health related quality of life, that can worsen with disease progression.
“Pulmonary rehabilitation is an effective intervention to improve symptoms, health related quality of life, and functional status in people with all respiratory conditions including ILD. And we would anticipate that this tailored ILD programme will be available to the patients across the Western Trust on an ongoing basis.”
Patient Feedback has been very positive with one patient saying:
“The programme was delivered by a highly professional, very patient focused team. Making sure every patient’s needs and abilities were respected.”