A group that helps people who have had heart problems get back to fitness has thanked Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation for its long-term support by donating a brand-new exercise bike to Royal Hampshire County Hospital.
Winchester Heart Support Group is an independent cardiac rehabilitation group that is allowed the use of the gym facilities at Royal Hampshire County Hospital to deliver 6 sessions every week, for ex-patients that have already completed classes through the Trust.
Liz Britton, cardiac rehab nurse specialist at Hampshire Hospitals, which runs Andover War Memorial Hospital, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester, said: “We are so grateful to the Winchester Heart Support Group for their generous donation of a new exercise bike for our gym.
“Equipment like this is an essential part of our exercise programme for the rehabilitation of patients following heart attack, heart surgery and heart failure. Without such generosity we would not be able to offer the exercise bikes as part of our circuits and we know from feedback how much the patients enjoy using them.”
Jim Finch, vice chairman of Winchester Heart Support Group said: “This is our way of saying thank you for all the long term support we have received from the Trust. We hope to be able to further support the cardiac rehab department’s needs in the future.
“We understand that equipment needs replacing every few years and every donation can make a huge difference to patients and those who use the facilities. We hope that other people will also be encouraged to donate to such a worthy cause.”
If you would like to make a donation to help services across Hampshire Hospitals invest in items that will benefit both patients and staff, you can do so through the Hampshire Hospitals Charity, which is managed by the Foundation Trust itself and split into ward and department funds.
To learn more about the funds or how to donate please contact the Foundation Trust’s charitable funds accountant on 01256 312758 or via e-mail at hh.charity@hhft.nhs.uk.
