Our Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) Support Group

The PF support group was established to offer peer and professional support for those affected by the disease in 2015. It generally meets for 2 hours every two months on a Tuesday.

Those living with pulmonary fibrosis and their carers are welcome to attend.

Prior to attending the group, an initial patient assessment is completed (this is following either a self-referral or referral from a healthcare professional involved in your care)

Cake and tea are very important when the group meets face to face, allowing time and space to chat socially and encourage mutual support.

The group also involves exercise, relaxation, speakers and other activities. At the latter part of the session, carers have a session separate to those living with PF – a safe place to support one another and talk about any challenges they may be facing.

The group also runs some social events, such as a canal trip, picnic and Christmas festivities.

During covid times, the group met on zoom, which kept folk connected but was not as popular as face to face meetings.

For details of forthcoming dates of the group please email hospiceofstfrancis.berkhamsted@nhs.net

Accessing our Support

At The Hospice of St Francis, we are passionate about supporting anyone living with a life limiting illness. We know that many patients and their carers benefit from accessing palliative care support earlier rather than later in their life journey and would welcome you to refer patients you think may benefit from our specialist input. If in doubt about the best way forward, please email hospiceofstfrancis.berkhamsted@nhs.net

Click here to make a self referral Click here to make a professional referral

Palliative Care Review

This is a review that is offered to those within Hertfordshire or Buckinghamshire who can access the hospice and is completed by one of our team.

Occasionally, in extreme circumstances, we can offer a consultant home visit to those unable to access the hospice and requiring specialist palliative care.

The focus of this review is to do a person-centred assessment and to identify what is most important to the person and those supporting them. It may involve symptom management, discussion about practical support or a safe place to discuss hopes and fears for the future.

Following such a review some individuals join our PF group, whilst others join our breathlessness or wellbeing services (see link) and others are referred onto their local community palliative care service.

Not in Bucks or Herts

But want to access a pulmonary fibrosis support group? Please visit Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis to find details of local support group.

Find out more

Dr Sharon Chadwick

Consultant in Palliative Medicine

(with a background in respiratory medicine and a keen interest in supporting those with pulmonary fibrosis)

Claire Nicell

Joint Head of Education and Learning

Claire is a Bachelor of Nursing with more than 30 years of clinical experience in many different settings. Throughout her career she has always had a keen interest in teaching and palliative care; so her present role as Lecturer Practitioner is her ideal job!

Her palliative care experience has involved working in hospitals, hospices and as a Community Specialist Palliative Care Nurse. More recently her focus and experience has switched to education. Within Hertfordshire she was part of the ABC project delivering palliative and end of life care to care homes throughout the county and then spent 18 months with the palliative care team at Watford General Hospital implementing The Rose Project (to promote dignity and respect at the end of life).

Claire loves working collaboratively with different colleagues across the social and health care sectors and helping individuals apply the principles of palliative care to their setting to promote excellent palliative care for those they care for.

She keeps her hand in clinically by working with her colleagues in the Community Palliative Care team and supporting a support group for patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis to ensure she practices what she teaches!

Manisha Cook

Specialist Physiotherapist and Lecturer Practitioner

Manisha has been qualified physiotherapist for over 20 years, she is passionate about respiratory medicine and palliative care.

Manisha has worked as a specialist physiotherapist at The Hospice of St Francis for 9 years and previously has worked in community and acute healthcare settings in London and Hertfordshire.

Manisha has recently completed her level 4 Certificate in Teaching and Education, and is committed to providing a specialist palliative education programme for Allied Health Professionals and the wider multi-disciplinary team.

Claire Hewitt

Carers Support Lead, Family Support Team

The Hospice of St Francis

Passionate about supporting carers and leads carer support within PF group

Caroline Wheeldon

Head of Community Specialist Palliative Care Team

Leads a team of nurses supporting those in the area local to the Hospice

The hospice I attend has helped and encouraged me to be more active. They also helped me when I wanted to speak to my husband about my future. They support all the family.

PF group member

When the people we care for have a depressing day we in turn do to. You are going through lots of that, and there's no one to step into your corner. Unless you have access to something like this.

Carer from Support Group

I think of a Hospice as a place where totally unconditional support is offered to patients and families and where all are listened to carefully and are treated with dignity and respect.

PF group member

Caring for Carers

Alongside those living with pulmonary fibrosis, we know that those caring for them can often benefit from the support. This is why carer support is an integral part of our pulmonary fibrosis support group.

We offer family members an individual appointment with the Family Support Team, using the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) to enable us to support you appropriately as our needs are all different.

This may include practical support, emotional support, linking you into relevant organisations, support groups or courses etc. This is reviewed regularly and as your needs/support changes.

Currently bereaved carers are invited to continue to attend if this is in their best interest and their experience and input is highly valued by the group.

Patients, carers and professionals

Please find here a few resources that we know can be helpful to those living with pulmonary fibrosis and to those supporting them

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Pulmonary Fibrosis Support

At The Hospice of St Francis, we are passionate about supporting people to live well.

Our Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) Support Group

Accessing our Support

Palliative Care Review

Not in Bucks or Herts

Find out more

The Hospice's Pulmonary Fibrosis #Team

Dr Sharon Chadwick

Consultant in Palliative Medicine

Claire Nicell

Joint Head of Education and Learning

Manisha Cook

Specialist Physiotherapist and Lecturer Practitioner

Claire Hewitt

Carers Support Lead, Family Support Team

The Hospice of St Francis

Caroline Wheeldon

Head of Community Specialist Palliative Care Team

The hospice I attend has helped and encouraged me to be more active. They also helped me when I wanted to speak to my husband about my future. They support all the family.

PF group member

When the people we care for have a depressing day we in turn do to. You are going through lots of that, and there's no one to step into your corner. Unless you have access to something like this.

Carer from Support Group

I think of a Hospice as a place where totally unconditional support is offered to patients and families and where all are listened to carefully and are treated with dignity and respect.

PF group member

Ralph's Story

Support and motivation.

He’s living his life, his way and still doing the things he loves despite his illness.

Caring for Carers

Patients, carers and professionals

Useful Resources

Let’s Talk Pulmonary Fibrosis

(and what palliative care can offer)

Living #YourPreciousLife well

Pulmonary Fibrosis & the Hospice