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Wigan Borough has one of the highest rates of coronary heart disease in
the whole of the North West. Now a new era in care for patients with
heart conditions has been set in motion.
The launch of the Wigan Heart Support Group took place at Robin Park
Arena on Tuesday 29th January. Over a hundred patients, carers and
health practitioners gathered to see the partnership scheme take shape.
Wigan Heart Support Group has been set up to allow Wigan cardiac
patients to play a more active role in managing their own conditions.
The group will meet regularly at Robin Park Arena, enabling them to find
out information about cardiac related topics, to meet health
professionals and most importantly to share their experiences with other
cardiac conditions.
The new initiative is a partnership between Wrightington, Wigan and
Leigh NHS Trust; Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust and Wigan
Leisure and Culture Trust. The Primary Care Trust ran a successful pilot
scheme prior to the launch of the new group. Shevington resident Alan
Taplin, aged 75, was fitted with a pace maker three years ago.
Alan said: “I think this support group is a wonderful idea. The pilot
scheme has shown that it really helps because we can provide support for
one another. Sharing our worries is important – it takes away the fear.
Illness can isolate you. This group is vital because it provides
encouragement and reassurance that patients are not in it on their own.
I think it is a brilliant idea.”
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Active Living Team has been providing
activity programmes for cardiac patients since 1997. Ray Summers from
Standish suffered a heart attack in 2002. He now trains regularly as
part of the Active Living Team’s programme of physical activity.
Ray, aged 70, said: “The whole process of health care from the operation
to the exercise programme has been excellent. I now see my exercise as
part of my medication and try to ensure others in the group make the
most of it. This new group will be vital for those people who want to
share their issues. I think it will be beneficial for all heart patients
and will bring a level of mutual understanding we haven’t had before.”
Consultant Cardiologist at Wigan Infirmary Dr Arya officially launched
the Wigan Heart Support Group with an impassioned speech about the need
to tackle the inequalities linked to dealing with coronary heart
disease.
Dr Arya said: “This support group will bring together patients, carers
and health professionals to try and raise awareness of the huge
challenge we face in Wigan. All of the patients here today can act as
ambassadors and messengers to the community in the battle against
coronary heart disease; the single biggest killer in Wigan today. They
will also have a chance to share their thoughts on how we can improve
services in Wigan. We have an excellent rehabilitation programme for
patients but we must work harder together to tackle the root causes of
such high heart disease rates.”
Dr Arya also pinpointed some stark statistics that highlight the
challenges ahead:
• 17 out of the borough’s 24 wards have higher than average rates of
death from coronary heart disease;
• 30 per cent of the borough’s residents do little or no exercise;
• over 50 per cent of residents are classed as overweight or obese;
• nearly 90 per cent of residents do not eat five portions of fruit or
vegetables per day.
Clinical Services Director of Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Primary Care Trust
Dr Fallon also delivered a speech that focussed on the importance of
after care, prevention and partnership working in tackling coronary
heart disease.
The majority of the Wigan Heart Support Group will be referred by health
professionals. For further information contact Marie Hart, Community
Heart Failure Specialist on 01942 482241 or Nicola Yates, Active Living
Team Officer on 01942 488485.
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