Last Wednesday, 29th April, the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team hosted a highly successful support group evening in partnership with the British Heart Foundation at Elland Working Men's Club. The event focused on raising awareness of Basic Life Support (BLS) among patients and their carers, combining practical learning with peer support and shared experience.
The event showcased how Cardiac Rehabilitation colleagues and key partners can work effectively together to deliver meaningful engagement, bringing the community together and enhancing patient care beyond the clinical setting.
Cardiac Specialist Nurse, Katie Wilson, led an engaging and informative BLS teaching session, with valuable support from Heartbeat during the demonstrations. The session equipped attendees with essential life-saving knowledge and confidence, and was a clear highlight of the evening.
This was followed by a powerful patient story from John Greenwood, who shared his personal journey after completing the Cardiac Rehabilitation programme. His openness and honesty resonated strongly with those in attendance and was particularly well received.
The evening also included a moving presentation from John Steele and Ian from Andy Man’s Club, highlighting the importance of mental health, conversation and peer support. Their contribution had a significant impact on the audience and reinforced the value of addressing mental wellbeing alongside physical recovery.
Following the presentations, patients, partners and carers were invited to enjoy refreshments and visit a range of information stands, including our very own CHFT Charity. The stands also included support from Stop Smoking Specialist, Christopher Keoghan, and Lucy Craigie from Vita Health Group, giving attendees access to further advice, resources and ongoing support.
Reflecting on the evening and the wider work of the service, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Heart Failure Team Leader, Clair Jones, said: “The Cardiac Rehabilitation team may be small, but it is incredibly effective. This is clearly reflected in the high standard of care they provide and their ongoing commitment to developing and improving the service. I am so proud of all the team."
