Bolton

The Bolton Heart Support Group is making its voice heard when it comes to delivering cardiac rehab services in Bolton.

The group first heard about the National Campaign for Cardiac Rehabilitation thanks to their close links with the local Cardiac Network. Eighteen of its members attended an April 2007 conference about the launch of the campaign alongside local cardiac rehabilitation nurses.

Inspired by the event, the Group got their local campaign underway. Members wrote to their MP, to their local NHS Trust and also signed a petition sent to the then Secretary of Health, Alan Johnson.

Group members also attended the December 2007 Westminster Parliamentary rally and met their MP. This led to a further meeting with their MP who supported the campaign by writing directly to Alan Johnson and the local NHS Trust.

The Group invited a manager from their local NHS Trust to attend a meeting and answer questions on cardiac rehabilitation services in the area.

As a result of this contact, the Group’s vice chairman now attends NHS Trust meetings to discuss and plan the future of Cardiac Rehab services in Bolton.

Through local action the group has fostered excellent relations with their local NHS Trust and their MP. Now their MP even contacts them independently for updates on the campaign!

David Houghton, vice chairman, says: “I don’t think that any of this would have come about without the British Heart Foundation’s National Campaign for Cardiac Rehabilitation.”

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