Former patient Ray MacDonald truly reached for the sky – raising more than £1500 for the Community Cardiac Rehabilitation Team* by doing a parachute jump!

Ray, 70, who lives in Mount Tabor in Halifax, told us: “I was under the care of the cardiac team, having had four heart attacks in the past 11 years and was waiting for a bypass.

“The team were amazing and really helped to improve my health, starting with a gentle exercise regime.

“I had my surgery on 20th May 2018 and told my surgeon the day I was being discharged I was planning to do a parachute jump!

“It’s my way of saying thank you to a dedicated team of staff who do their best every day to keep people alive."

Cardiac Rehabilitation Sister, Clair Jones, said “We’re all immensely proud of Ray’s recovery, and his determination to raise these funds for us. It means a huge amount to us all, though to see Ray fit and well was always our aim."

Ray added “I feel sure that if I hadn’t been as fit and able to recover as well, that my recovery would have taken longer. As it was I was back at work in six weeks as a gas and heating engineer, albeit on light duties.

Pictured left to right are: Cardiac Rehabilitation and Heart Failure Manager Clair Jones, Sister Katherine Fairhurst, Fitness Instructor Farakh Kayani  and Ray.

 

*Clair went on to tell us about some changes which have taken placed in the team this year. 

  • Clair was appointed the team lead for Cardiac Rehabilitation and Heart Failure in July, after Caroline Lane accepted the position of Matron for Community Nursing. Natelle Butts is now the deputy Team Lead for Heart Failure in hospital, after Amanda Foster joined the Dewsbury Community Heart Failure Team last year.
  • Kate Sedman, Heart Failure Specialist Nurse, is now working in the community with Ian Ormerod. Together they provide Heart Failure care to patients. Kate previously worked across Calderdale and Huddersfield hospitals as a Heart Failure Specialist Nurse.
  • Christine Wild and Stevie Crowther joined Natelle Butts as hospital Heart Failure nurses in May. Prior to this, Christine was a Sister in the Coronary Care Unit and Stevie had worked in Cardio-thoracic ITU at Leeds.  
  • Farakh Kayani (Jay) joined Cardiac Rehab in June as a Fitness Instructor. Prior to this role he worked for Calderdale Council as a Fitness Instructor and Duty Manager at North Bridge Leisure Centre.
  • Congratulations to Sally Smith on her recent acceptance of a Band 6 position as Cardiac Rehabilitation Sister, after being in the team for 12 months.

Together, the Cardiac Rehabilitation and Heart Failure team deliver excellent care for patients following a diagnosis of heart attack or heart failure, and following heart surgery or procedures such as angioplasty and pacemakers. Participating in cardiac rehab is one of the best things you can do for your heart and it helps you regain control of your health.

The Cardiac Rehab and Heart Failure Team all work closely together, alongside a diverse multi-disciplinary team, to provide care throughout the patient journey, from diagnosis to discharge.

We are a busy team, but always welcome new referrals and are keen to help and support all patients with a diagnosis of heart failure, heart Attack, PCI, and Heart Surgery so please refer!!

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