START Newsletter Summer 2017

LARYNGECTOMY & TRACHEOSTOMY
SWIMMING - AQUATHER SERVICE
HAVE YOU
TRIED THE
AQUATHER
BREATHING
DEVICE?
If you would like
to share your
experience then
please get in
touch via the
details on the
back page.
It is estimated that there are in excess of 5,000 patients living as laryngectomees
in the UK. Alongside this over 5700 surgical tracheostomies were performed on
adults during 2009/2010 - although only a percentage of these will be permanent.
Patients who breathe through their neck following a permanent tracheostomy
or laryngectomy are well recognised for reporting significantly lower Quality of
Life (QoL) scores that do not necessarily relate solely to loss of voice or changes
in communication. Reduced social reintegration and the inability to participate
in enjoyed activities such as swimming have a detrimental effect not only on the
individual’s quality of life, but also that of their friends and loved ones. As a result,
there are many alarming reports of neck breathing patients swimming in water
using make-shift homemade devices or by simply occluding their tracheostoma
with their finger. This is EXTREMELY dangerous. Aside from swimming, patients
who neck breathe are unable to undergo hydrotherapy. This device will enable neck
breathing patients to undergo rehabilitation in the water again.
Many patients in Europe have returned to the water using a Heimomed
AQUATHER device for neck breathers. The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS
Foundation Trust has approved a 12-month pilot service open to all UK applicants
who wish to be reintroduced back into the water. The scheme will initially focus
on laryngectomy patients but adult tracheostomy patients who have full capacity
to understand and make decisions can also register their interest. A team of key
professionals have undergone intensive training to ensure patients remain safe.
The service is funded by FORCE and the cost of the device is covered by Macmillan
for those who are financially eligible.
Since its launch in March 2016, many patients have been successfully trained, the
majority of whom are now able to swim underwater and feedback has been 100%
positive!
Training and support on how to re-enter the water using an Aquather breathing
device will be provided in a hospital based indoor heated pool by a team of trained
specialist nurses and physiotherapists.
For further information please contact Claire Barber, tel 01392 402 215,
email clairebarber2@nhs.net or visit www.rdehospital.nhs.uk.
Reproduced with the kind permission of Claire Barber, Head & Neck Specialist
Nurse, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust.
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