Experiencing any form of cardiac event can be one of the most frightening moments within a person’s life.
For many, recovery spans more than physical healing – it’s about making sense of what has happened, coming to terms with change, and learning how to live well again.
Gareth Dean, a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with West and Central Talking Therapies, works with a team that truly understand this.
Based at the Countess of Chester Health Park, The Cardiac Rehab Team is rooted in a collaborative, community-driven model of care. Bringing together cardiac nurses, clinical exercise physiologists, and therapists like Gareth. The team focuses on the whole person, not just the condition.
“Working with the Cardiac Rehab Team means I have the benefit of working with a range of physical health specialists” Gareth explains “By sharing our knowledge and expertise, we’re able to deliver a truly holistic package of care and that leads to better outcomes for patients.”
Whether someone is struggling to cope with the shock of a recent heart attack or adjusting to the lifelong impact of their long-term condition, the team’s approach ensures that emotional and psychological wellbeing is never overlooked.
“We look at ways to manage the emotional and psychological wellbeing of our patients, by putting in realistic expectations for both them and for other people who may be expecting them to carry on as before.” Gareth explains.
The benefit of this kind of integrated support stretches far beyond the clinic walls. A patient’s ability to manage their mental wellbeing doesn’t just improve their quality of life – it can impact their loved ones, their community and even the wider healthcare system.
“Many of our patients are parents, carers, in employment or volunteers,” Gareth notes. “When someone’s confidence is shaken after a cardiac event, it affects more than just the individual. By helping people address their mental health alongside physical rehabilitation, they’re better able to return to those roles and relationships, even if it looks a bit different than before.”
National evidence also suggests that providing talking therapies to people with Long Term Conditions can reduce the need for GP visits and emergency care, easing the strain on NHS services while improving lives.
The Cardiac Rehab Team serves over 1,000 patients a year and consistently exceeds national benchmarks for key outcomes like blood pressure and cholesterol levels. But it’s not just the numbers that define this team’s success – it’s the relationships they build.
Lynne Cartwright, 68 from Cheshire was under the care of the team after experiencing a cardiac arrest in May 2023. Two years later she has nothing but admiration for the service which helped her recover and regain her life.
“They really put me at ease, I was on first name basis with all the staff. Attending sessions for both my physical and emotional recovery gave me the reassurance I needed and led me to having a better outlook on my life.” Lynne recalls.
From making first contact within two days of discharge to tailoring care to individuals’ goals, the team offers support that is personal and compassionate.
Patients remain with the team for six months, during which time they get to know patients not by diagnosis, but by their name, their experience and their hopes for the future.
They help both the whole person and the community that walks with them every step of the way.