Oxford Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre (OACFC) staff and services

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is key to the management of cystic fibrosis (CF). Our specialist CF physiotherapists provide support to patients in routine clinics, as outpatients in between clinic visits as required.

Patients see a physiotherapist at each clinic appointment, and twice-daily while in hospital.

The physiotherapy service can help with:

• review of inpatients with Cystic Fibrosis to optimise airway clearance
• outpatient airway clearance support and advice
• non-invasive ventilation
• optimising inhaled therapies (including use of all types of inhaled and nebulised treatments)
• exercise assessment, prescription and advice
• posture advice and assessment of musculoskeletal problems
• pelvic floor exercises
• CFHealthHub adherence support

Our Physiotherapy team

• Ali Gates - Lead CF Physiotherapist and Independent Prescriber
• Mat Bulpett
• Jayne Faulkner
• Jo Hobbs
• Alice Midwinter
• Davide Strappelli
• Rotational Band 6 Respiratory Physiotherapist
  

Dietetics

Maintaining a healthy body weight is a key part of keeping well with CF. We have a team of specialist dietitians who have a great deal of experience, and patients see a dietitian at each clinic visit and at least twice a week while in hospital.

CF dietitians will help with a range of issues.

• Eating well with CF
• Gut issues including constipation and DIOS
• Advice on vitamin supplements
• Nutritional supplements
• Adjustment of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy
• Bone health
• Weight management
• Managing CF-related diabetes

Our Dietitians

• Jo Snowball - Lead Dietitian
• Heather Knight

Pharmacy

Specialist Pharmacy support is provided by Sarah Poole, Lead Respiratory Pharmacist.

Sarah and the Pharmacy Team are involved in the prescription and dispensing of medicines both in clinic and on the ward. A pharmacist will see patients as part of their annual review, and is always available to the team to help with queries regarding medicines.

Home care supply of high-cost medicines

The specialist CF Pharmacy Team co-ordinates the supply of certain high-cost medicines under a home care agreement with BUPA.

Medicines supplied by Lloyds include:

• intravenous Tobramycin
  
• most nebulised and dry-powder inhaled antibiotics (e.g. TOBI Podhaler, Colobreathe, nebulised tobramycin/colistin/aztreonam)
  
• Ivacaftor
• Kaftrio

Please make sure someone is at home to take delivery of any home care medicines. We are charged if the company has to make a second delivery!

Clinical Psychology

Kate Chapman is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience in cystic fibrosis. She is an integral member of our multidisciplinary team and is available to provide support to patients in clinic, at annual review and during inpatient admissions.

Kate is able to provide help with the following:

• stress and anxiety
• depression and problems with low mood
• sleep difficulties
• relationship and family issues
• anger management
• confidence and self-esteem.

Specialist Nurses

Our knowledgeable and experienced team of CF Specialist Nurses provides:

• an advice line for patient problems and queries
• cannula and mid-line placement
• administration of IV antibiotics
• management of Port-a-cath devices
• training for patients in home antibiotic therapy
• co-ordination of annual CF reviews
• trials of nebulised medicines
• home visits
• inpatient support
• links with the Oxford Paediatric CF team.

Our Specialist Nurse Team

• Cathie Male - Lead Nurse
• Julienne Cabildo
• Fiona Lindsay
• Katy Richards
• Neha Trivedi
• Qamile Vrellaku

MDT Assistant Practitioner

Gabriella Kirkham

Ellie's role is to support the whole multidisciplinary team. She has a particular interest in supporting people with CF to become more active.

CF HealthHub and Quality Improvement leads

• Tracy Barnett
• Louise Warnock

Lou and Tracy are both Physiotherapists. CFHealthHub (CFHH) offers non-judgmental conversations to help build improved nebuliser treatment habits, as well as support with issues with your e-track equipment.

We also contribute to work on the national CFHealthHub research platform. Please contact the department if you would like to learn more.

Administration

• Sandra Esteve Navarro
• Natasha Richardson