'Doing an NHS fitness and rehab course saved my life'

Former miners are among the patients being given a new lease of life by an NHS exercise and rehab class for people with chronic lung conditions.

Breathing Space, an NHS service for the management of respiratory diseases, runs the 12-week course at Maltby Leisure Centre near Rotherham.

The "pulmonary rehabilitation pilot" is a special programme that combines exercise and education for sufferers of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and bronchiectasis.

Those who have taken part so far said it has had a dramatic impact on their health and daily lives.

Emphysema patient Mandy Hempshaw, 65, said the course had kept her out of hospital and "saved" her life.

"I was suicidal at one point, using a wheelchair, I couldn't get washed and couldn't get dressed," she said.

Breathing Space took the decision to extend what had previously been an eight-week programme in an area where many people worked underground until the closure of Maltby Main Colliery in 2013.

Melissa Peters, clinical team lead for pulmonary rehabilitation at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: "These people want to make changes and they see the benefit, they can walk to the shop and play with the grandkids without being breathless, but it's only an eight-week programme.

"I needed a better opportunity for patients to keep going with their self-management within the community."

The trust partnered with Places Leisure, which runs the sports centre in Maltby.

Its communities manager, Hollie Webb, said: "This is more of a community programme, we want people to more physically active independently.

"We want them to build their confidence. It's nothing too strenuous, with a bit of cardio and strength-based work."

Ms Webb said delivering the course in Maltby was important.

"It's one of the more deprived areas in Rotherham, it's an ex-mining community so this is the right place to run a pulmonary rehab course."

One of the ex-miners who has seen his health improve is Reg Croft, 72, who worked at the pit for most of his life.

He said: "I've got COPD and 40% lung function. My lungs are about shot, walking uphill almost cripples me.

"When I heard about this course I was first in the queue. I feel a lot better, I couldn't walk to the shop before without getting breathless but I can now."

Rose Oxley, 61, has given up a long-term smoking habit since joining the programme and has lost weight.

"I'm not into gyms - I'd never been inside one before.

"I love it here now. Having a group really helps - it's hard work but you have to put it in to get better."

Mrs Hempshaw echoed her thoughts about the benefits of group exercise. She recently underwent surgery to fit valves in her lungs.

"I'm not really a sociable person, but it's become a family here.

"Alongside the operation and my medication, this saved me. My husband still has his wife and my son still has Mum."

When the group finish their course, they are invited to become full-time members of the gym at the centre with a 30% discount.

Sixteen patients have successfully completed the programme so far, with another 21 currently participating or starting in the next few weeks.

The pilot will run until October 2026.

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