Alan Whitehead MP

18-November-2004

Alan Whitehead welcomes the reintroduction of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme in Southampton

Following campaigning by the Cardiac Action Group (above), Alan Whitehead MP met with the Chairman and Chief Executive of Southampton University Trust Hospitals with a petition signed by over 3,000 people.

The Trust assured him that residents of Southampton will have the service returned which will now be provided by Southampton Primary Care Trust (PCT) in early 2005.

Southampton PCT has issued a statement to say:

"Southampton City Primary Care Trust is currently recruiting a Cardiac Rehabilitation Nurse. They will work within our Cardiac nursing team and with Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust to provide a city based service for Southampton patients. This will include providing phase 3 of the cardiac rehabilitation programme early in 2005. The PCT is also leading discussions with other PCTs across the area to try and establish a district wide cardiac rehabilitation service."

Alan Whitehead MP, said

"Whilst this is obviously good news for residents of Southampton I hope that other Primary Care Trusts across the south will quickly follow suit. I would like to thank everyone who signed the petition and the Cardiac Action Group for organising such a vocal and powerful campaign."