Pumping Marvellous

Why Heart Failure Rehabilitation is so important

Evidence is gathering that cardiac rehabilitation is a significant factor in the stabilisation of heart failure and unfortunately there are many of us who aren’t good at it. That includes patients, the NHS, local government and other health providers. There is no magic wand to this so we decided to help with producing a booklet that helps facilitate physical movement leading onto exercise. The booklet alone won’t do the work but it will highlight the wide variety of programmes and courses available to Heart Failure patients in the East Lancashire area where people get accustomed to the fact that exercise doesn’t have to mean the GYM; it is social interaction, it’s about having a laugh and a joke and who could think of anything better than that as well as being good for you!

We really wish we had the resources to pull this together for all Heart Failure patients but we don’t, however we are unsure what the future holds so we will have to wait and see.

Helping Heart Patients

Pumping Marvellous Charity Stand

Pumping Marvellous Charity Day with the BHF

Images of our latest Charity fundraising event on European Heart Failure Awareness Day for Heart Failure Patients in conjunction with the BHF and NHS East Lancahsire. We raised £500 on the day.

New Living Well with Heart Failure Self Care Programme in East Lancashire

This is a brand new programme focussed around education and relaxation programs designed to help Heart Failure Patients learn how to manage their condition to prevent hospital admissions and creating a better quality of life. It is an informal opportunity to bring a friend, a carer friend or a member of  family who may be involved in your care are also more than welcome to attend.

The programme is starting Tuesday 5th April at 1pm until 3.30pm and will last for six weeks.

The sessions will take place at Burnley United Reformed Church, Bethesda Street (next to Marks & Spencers).

The programme will be led by Beth Baron, Cardiac Rehabilitation Practitioner for Burnley and will also include a session on medicines led by Angela Graves, Heart Failure Specialist Nurse. Topics will include:

• Fluid Management & Monitoring
• Eating Well
• Physical Activity
• What Your Medicine Does
• Managing Stress & Anxiety
• Weekly Relaxation Session (including breathing exercises and seated yoga)

There will also be time for a cup of tea or coffee and some socialising.

If you would like to discuss the programme in more detail and book a place on the programme for you and your carer please call Beth on 01282 664420 or email healthylifestyles@burnley.gov.uk

Map of where the Church is

Nursing in Practice Awards at the NEC

Just a short post to say that as a patient I am so proud of Angela Graves and her team, the East Lancs Specialist Heart Failure Nursing Team. This afternoon at a Gala Dinner at the NEC in Birmingham they pulled off exactly what they deserve, winning the National Cardiac Care award. If you know this team you will  understand why as they all walk around with bug “S’s” on their chests and know they don’t change in telephone boxes. It brought a slight tear to my eye when Angela phoned me to tell me. A massive well done to you all and I know all the patients will echo this. We all hope this is just the first element of your success but to be honest with you recognition is good but what you do on a day to day basis is the best and this has been recognised.

To top off the day the team also came runners up in the National Team of the Year award, but I know that Angela was gunning for the one they won.

Pumping Marvellous Patient Forums

We are delighted to announce that we will be holding our first patient forums in October 2010. We will be holding two initial forums, one starting at 2.00pm on the 6th October 2010 at the Accrington Victoria Hospital and the other on the 13th October 2010 starting at 7.00pm in the evening at the Accrington Victoria Hospital.

The idea behind the evenings is to help patients deal with heart failure and share best practice, in other words share our ideas, therefore best practice includes patient ideas and health care professional ideas. This is not a lecture or a presentation this is the Heart Failure patients opportunity to learn some new ideas about their own care.

We expect the Heart Failure Team, members of nursing staff from the CCU ward at the Royal Blackburn Hospital, physiotherapists, experts from the pharmacy and doctors as well to attend alongside the Pumping Marvellous Team. The clinicians will be listening to the patients who will be bouncing their ideas off back of the clinicians.

We would also suggest you bring your nominated carer along as they obviously have a significant role to play.

You will find that it is a great way to make you an expert at your own condition.

For further information please contact pumping marvellous.

NURSING IN PRACTICE AWARDS

The East Lancs PCT Heart Failure Team are pleased to announce that they have been short listed for the National Nursing in Practice Award, for Cardiology Care. The team have been commended by the judges for “inspirational ideas into your daily practices and stood out among the rest”. The final will take place in Birmingham NEC, in November and are hoping to bring off the big prize.

Angela Graves
Heart Failure Clinical Lead
East Lancs Heart Failure Team

What an absolutley fantastic result so far. This team is one of the reasons why Pumping Marvellous was developed. What an inspirational bunch you are!!!! go team East Lancs