Ventilation Service
The Lancashire and South Cumbria Long-Term Ventilation Service is a specialist regional service providing support for patients who require long-term ventilatory support. Our service cares for patients with chronic respiratory failure who need assistance with their breathing, whether through non-invasive mask ventilation or more complex invasive ventilation via a tracheostomy. We also provide support for patients who are ventilator-dependent at home and help manage their ongoing care.
We help patients improve their ability to cough and clear secretions from their lungs through our specialist secretion clearance clinic. We offer mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MIE) devices and other secretion-clearing techniques to help maintain lung health and prevent complications.
Our service is based at Royal Preston Hospital and operates entirely as an outpatient service, with home visits and clinic appointments available.
- What We Do
WelcomeThe Home Ventilation Team supports patients who need help with their breathing at home using Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) and tracheostomy ventilation.
We care for patients living with conditions that can affect breathing during sleep or throughout the day, including neurological, neuromuscular, respiratory, and chest wall conditions.
Our team provides:
- assessment and monitoring
- ventilation setup and adjustments
- education and support for patients and carers
- v mask fitting and troubleshooting
- secretion management support
-
ongoing follow-up care
We support patients using:
- Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV)
- Tracheostomy ventilation
- Airway clearance therapies
We work closely with hospital teams, community services, carers, and families to help patients feel confident and supported whilst using ventilation equipment at home.
Our aim is to:
- improve breathing and sleep quality
- reduce symptoms such as fatigue, morning headaches, and breathlessness
- support comfort and independence
- help patients remain safely at home where possible
- What is Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV)?
What is Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV)?
Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV) is a treatment that helps support your breathing using a mask connected to a small machine.
NIV can help reduce the work of breathing and improve ventilation, particularly during sleep.
NIV may help improve:
- sleep quality
- daytime tiredness
- Tracheostomy Ventilation
Some patients may receive ventilation through a tracheostomy tube instead of a mask.
The Home Ventilation Team supports patients and carers with:
- tracheostomy ventilation equipment
- humidification
- secretion management
- suction support
- troubleshooting and education
- ongoing monitoring and follow-up
Our team is here to support both patients and families throughout their ventilation journey.
- Meet the Team
Our multidisciplinary Home Ventilation Team is made up of Consultants, Consultant physios, specialist nurses who work together to provide personalised care and support.
We understand that starting ventilation can feel overwhelming at first, and our team is here to support patients and families every step of the way.
- Your First Appointment
Your first appointment with the Home Ventilation Team is an opportunity for us to get to know you and better understand your breathing and sleep symptoms.
We will take time to review your needs, explain any tests or treatment options, and answer any questions you or your family may have.
During your appointment we may:
- discuss your symptoms and medical history
- assess your breathing and oxygen levels
- review any previous investigations or sleep studies
- discuss ventilation treatment options
- introduce ventilation equipment and masks
- answer any questions you or your family may have.
Assessments may include:
Depending on your needs, you may also have one or more of the following:
- breathing tests
- chest X-ray
- blood tests
- blood gases
- overnight carbon dioxide (CO₂) monitoring
- assessment and training for secretion clearance techniques
- use of Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation (MIE) device
What to expect
Some patients may begin ventilation during their appointment, whilst others may need further assessment first.
This will depend on your individual needs and test results.
- Our Aim
The Lancashire and South Cumbria Long-Term Ventilation Service aims to provide high-quality, specialist outpatient care and home support for patients who require long-term ventilatory support. We focus on helping patients maintain optimal lung health through ventilation management and specialist secretion clearance techniques, ensuring they can live as safely and independently as possible in the community and prevent admissions.
- Who We Care For
We care for patients with a variety of long-term respiratory problems requiring specialist ventilatory support, including (but not limited to):
Neuromuscular conditions:
Motor Neuron Disease
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Myotonic Dystrophy
Spinal Cord Injury
Other conditions affecting breathing:
Central Sleep Apnoea
Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
Chest wall deformities
Long-term lung conditions requiring ventilatory support:
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Bronchiectasis
Cystic Fibrosis
This service focuses on patients who require ventilatory support and is not a general cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis service.
We also support patients requiring ventilation via tracheostomy, those needing help with respiratory secretions, and patients who are fully or partially ventilator dependent.
The service is led by a team of Medical Consultants, a Physiotherapy Consultant, and Ventilation Clinical Specialist Nurses. We work within a strong multi-disciplinary team and are dedicated to working together to meet every aspect of our patients’ care needs.
- Contact Us
For general and specialist advice, emergencies and broken equipment (Monday to Friday 8am- 5pm)
Telephone:01772 522340 (answer machine message)
If you would like to speak to someone please call:01772 523838.
We work Monday-Friday. If the next day is a weekend or bank holiday, please leave a message on our answer machine and we will contact you the next working day.
If there is an urgent situation that requires advice overnight/at a weekend you can call the respiratory high care unit at Royal Preston Hospital on 01772 522589 and they will discuss the issues and attempt to resolve the problem.
- Ventilation Service Patient Leaflets
Videos
- Video - How to use a NIPPY 4 - 4+ Ventilator
- Video - How to use a Lumis 150 Ventilator
- Video - Fitting your oronasal/under the nose mask
- Video - Fitting your full face mask
- Video - NIPPY Clearway
- Video - E70 Cough Assist
- Video - Clearway 2, Mechanical insufflation - exsufflation device
- Video - How to use the Dreamstation ventilator
- Video - Cough augmentation exercises
- Video - How to assemble a Nebuliser
- Video - Home suction instructions
- Video - Capnography Patient Instructions
