I don't often do this, but I just need a moan. I waited for nearly 5 months for cardiac rehab assessment following surgery in June this year. Finally got to assessment and well....long story short....what a shambles. Too few nurses to cope with demand, assessment was hurried, no attempt to assess my exercise tolerance, and a general mess. No-one has taken my blood pressure yet. Not at all like the efficient service of 5 years ago.
I was able to join exercise class immediately (after waiting so long for assessment they had vacancies??!!) and just three of us showed up. The class was great - well we had one to one attention - and the education slot was simply dire! The nurse talked about motivation to change and tried to arouse motivation by telling us what to do. I was so tired after the education slot I nearly fell asleep!
Sad. I had looked forward to this for so long, and now I'm here - well, appalling springs to mind. I will complain when I am done as I have done this before and know how helpful it was - this is another story.
I will persist as I want to get to level 4 and Heart Smart - but I am so disappointed.
Frances
Written by
francesw47
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
This happened to my husband and he was completely knocked back by it. He didn’t go back after the 1st one due to the shambles, poor organisation and lack of empathy by the nurses. 6 months later I persuaded him to try again and he phoned to explain what happened. He was sent to another venue (he didn’t want to return to the 1st) & it was great. Nurses amazing & it got him going to the gym again. We are lucky to live in a city & there was another option. Do give feedback. Good Luck.
The cardiac rehab I had was also below par, I’m sure I’d seen some of the gym equipment at a car boot I went to a couple of weeks before.
Most upsetting for me though was a elderly chap and his wife wanted to speak to someone in charge because of a few concerns he had (I’m a people watcher/ nosey buggar ).
Anyway, the reception person told a nurse who then gathered a few nurses together and I could actually hear them cackling like a pack of hyenas and discussing their attack. I was appalled at the lack of professionalism.
Needless to say I left cardiac rehab that day and never returned. Sad but true.
Rehab is a postcode lottery that is really unacceptable. Mine was OK'ish but too much faulty equipment and a one size fits all approach. It may have changed as one of the nurses recognised me on a bus, and told me they had relocated and made a few changes. The talks were variable and I repeated the diet one as I had to miss a couple of sessions so was out of sync. Unfortunately it was done by two different people who contradicted themselves in areas. The one on medication was the most interesting but the presenter was cut short as the session started late and the nurses always stopped promptly!
I went onto Phase 4 but am now awaiting assessment for "gym by perscription" as my arthritis made it a struggle!
I have now got a copy of the referral for "gym by perscription". It is the first one in nearly two years that had been 100% on medical conditions and associated conditions. Top marks to newish GP in the practice!
Last year before my heart surgery I was recommended a swim aerobics fitness programme at our local pool which cost me £70 for membership. You could only book from 0900 the Tuesday before the class but by the time you rang (at 0900) all the spaces were taken!
The worst of it was that half of them didn't join in, they were just there for the gossip. I loved it and really looked forward to it but it was invariably over subscribed.
I went to Cardiac Rehab after my open heart surgery last year but was turned down. I then went back this year after having a TAVI and still no appointment!
I have even tried to find a private fitness coach but at the very mention of cardiac they run a mile.
I just need someone to devise a programme of excercise that I can do at home to keep me physically and mentally upbeat.
By the sounds of it I was lucky the rehab I attended was great the staff marvellous the educational talks were good the whole package really helped me to rebuild my confidence after HA August 18
I didn’t even get any rehab after either of my AVR ops so can’t comment on what it was like here. I just went back to work after 12 weeks and got on with it myself. I have back and shoulder problems, which have now been joined by my left hip, so exercising is difficult. Sounds as f rehab is a bit hit and miss across the country.
What a shame. I waited too but worth it. My experience was the opposite. I loved it and exercise and education were excellent. I live in South Wales and attended cardiac rehab in Pontypool. A great team there. Keep with it and take the positives and build on them. Good luck.
With the amount and spread of experience we have why don’t we name and rate the places where we went and build a list to feed back to the NHS via the BHF. I went to UCH in London in Jan 2019. The nurses and trainers were excellent and empathetic. The equipment was limited but after 6 sessions you could go under ongoing monitoring to a fully equipped gym.
Hi Francesw47, sorry to read about your rehab situation, I do think the rehab is a post code lottery, or which hospital you attend, and the quality of after care we receive. We are all concerned about our health and subsequent recovery from our heart events, and iam certain medical and nursing staff do their best but they don't understand the traumatic events all of us have been through, and that we are struggling to get back to some kind of a "normal" life. I know since my heart attacks at the end of May, I have struggled with the emotional, physical and mental changes, some days are good but still a long way to go. I digress, I attended an 8 week cardiologist rehab course at my local hospital, it was hard work but I loved it and the staff were really great, and listened to concerns. It was great to be with others that were in a similar situation. Iam now attending my local gym with a coach who specialises in assisting people with heart problems, and planning their rehab, iam tired but enjoy going. Tackled the smoking,now need to tackle the flab! Good luck in getting good rehab. Take care.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Cardiac Rehab appointment
Cardiac rehab
After CRT-D Cardiac Rehab - The recovery continues....
