The prize - a pair of return air tickets to any destination in the USA where American Airlines operate - was won by Peter White of Woking.  Mr White has been a cardiac patient at the Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust and has taken part in the Trust’s cardiac rehabilitation programme.  Patients who have either had planned surgery or who had a “cardiac event” like a heart attack, are encouraged to attend a twice-weekly six week course in the physiotherapy gym at whichever hospital is most convenient for them.  The course is both confidence building and gives them the opportunity to meet other patients who have had a similar experience.

Said Mr White: “As cardiac patient I can speak from experience when I say that this rehabilitation course is excellent and certainly helped me to get my confidence back. And winning these tickets has been a great surprise and an added bonus!”

The donated tickets came via an employee of American Airlines who was able to nominate the fundraising barbeque as a good cause.  Her father had been a patient on the cardiac rehabilitation scheme.

Said Senior Cardiac Specialist Nurse Liz Murphy: “The airline tickets were a great prize, and much appreciated.  We are hoping to use the money raised at the barbeque in a number of ways: for training; extra gym equipment in both hospitals and to provide additional educational aids for acute patients on the wards which will help them to understand their diagnosis and come to terms with their condition.”

The West Surrey Internal Cardiac Defibrillator Club (ICDC) was formed this year to support over 100 patients who have had internal cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) fitted.  St. Peter’s is the only hospital in Surrey that has an Angiography suite where this procedure is carried out and patients from Frimley Park Hospital, Royal Surrey County Hospital and West Middlesex Hospitalare among those who have been treated and have joined the Club.  The nearest other support club is at St. George’s Hospital, Tooting.

The ICDC meets every three months and patients and their families are encouraged to attend.  Said Liz: “We have 120 patients with ICDs. These meetings are a great opportunity for patients and those close to them to get together with other patients, in an informal setting, and discuss and share their concerns and problems.  There is a nice balance between the educational element as well as the social side.”

Footnote:   British Heart Foundation statistics show that heart patients who do not take part in cardiac rehabilitation schemes are 25% more likely to die in two-five years following their heart attack than those who do follow the six-week programme. Less than 50% of Trust patients accept the invitation to attend the programme at either Ashford or St. Peter’s hospitals.  In theUK 60% of patients who need the benefits offered by a cardiac rehabilitation do not have that choice as they do not have access to such a programme.

Anyone who would like to know more about the cardiac rehabilitation programme can contact Senior Cardiac Specialist NurseLiz Murphy on: 01932 722207.