More ACT patients to access pulmonary rehabilitation sooner
28 Sep 2026
The existing program at Canberra Hospital will increase its capacity, while a new service will open at University of Canberra Health Clinics on the northside.
Together, the two programs are expected to provide rehabilitation to about 375 people with chronic lung disease each year, with most patients expected to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
For some patients, the current wait for pulmonary rehabilitation can be between 18 and 24 months. The expanded services are expected to reduce this to about two months.
The additional services are also expected to reduce hospital admissions by about 480 bed days each year, with estimated annual savings of $1.4 million.
University of Canberra physiotherapy students will gain practical experience at the new clinic through work-integrated learning placements. They will work under the supervision of experienced Canberra Health Services clinical staff.
ACT Health Minister Dr Marisa Paterson said the partnership would help provide care closer to where people live and give patients more timely access to pulmonary rehabilitation.
She also said the program would provide supervised clinical training for University of Canberra students and support the future allied health workforce.
Lung Foundation Australia welcomed the expansion.
Alicia Goodwin, General Manager of Clinical Programs, Research and Innovation at Lung Foundation Australia, said the additional programs would help address the long-standing demand for pulmonary rehabilitation services across the ACT.
She said pulmonary rehabilitation can help people with chronic lung disease manage symptoms, stay active and independent, improve quality of life and reduce the risk of hospitalisation.
The new northside service will provide another location for patients to access rehabilitation, while the existing Canberra Hospital program will also have greater capacity.
More ACT patients to access pulmonary rehabilitation sooner
Source: Lung Foundation Australia