Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist Physiotherapist Rhona Burch and Clinical Nurse Specialist Lillian McCurley
Heart problems can occur at any time but there’s a service at the heart of the Vale that’s keeping a steady beat of help for those who have cardiac issues.
The Cardiac Rehabilitation team at the hospital, made up of Clinical Nurse specialist Lillian McCurley, Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist Physiotherapist Rhona Burch, Healthcare Support Worker Sharon Timmins and led by Cardiac Rehab Team Lead Gillian Armstrong, are a vital source of advice and support for people recovering from heart attacks or experiencing heart-related issues.
In the first six month of this year, the service saw almost 150 referrals. Once referred, patients are assessed as to what will be most helpful in their particular circumstances.
Of those eligible for the cardiac rehab programme, almost 70 completed the full course.
This course is delivered face-to-face but it can also be participated in remotely or by phone.
Once referred, most people are first seen by the team within two weeks.
Activities the team arrange are designed not only to provide rehabilitation but also illustrate wider health benefits that can have a positive effect on heart health and general lifestyle.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist Physiotherapist Rhona Burch has been keeping tabs on the figures, and making sure the team can work more effectively with service users.
She said: “I came here from another site and when I joined I started looking at how many people and who we had coming to us.
“By keeping track of user data, we’re able to see what works and for who. Are face-to-face sessions the best option or would a phone or video consultation be useful? It’s very much a service that’s rooted in the community, and we’re able to shape what we do.”
Clinical Nurse Specialist Lillian McCurley added: “Working as part of this team means you get to help people from so many different backgrounds, everyone from people waiting to have cardiac surgery to people who are recovering from surgery and even cardiac events.
“We’re also able to see people in a community setting, rather than just in a clinical space. We’ll often take part in the physical activities when we run the class in the local gym.
“By doing that we can show that the basics of what we’re teaching are good lifestyle choices – exercise, diet and the like – that can be of benefit to anyone, of any ability, at any time.”
And as most of the team members live locally, they know they are having an impact for the better on peoples’ lifestyles.
Lillian added: “We all come from round here so we do bump into people when we are out and about, so we do see what changes people are making to their own lives and their health with our support. We can see what impact our jobs have and that makes you want to do it over and over, with more people.”
The team work closely with their service users, and that personal commitment shines through in the feedback they team have received.
One participant in the course said: “You have given me so much confidence and reassurance, and help me to manage and navigate my way through all the different equipment and exercises which you offered in the Cardiac Rehab programme.
“I have enjoyed your company, your chat and your constant presence in the gym.
“I cannot believe what a difference attending the classes has made to my general wellbeing and progress.
“I am eternally grateful to all the NHS professionals who ‘came to my rescue’, and all of you have helped me progress so successfully.”
Team Lead Gillian Armstrong said: “Patient feedback is vital a way for us to learn what works best, and when people come back to us with positive comments, it lets us adapt our programmes, but it also shows just how much of an impact the team make on the community.”
