Health Information Roadshow launches around changes to services for heart and stroke patients

Date published: 26 October 2011

A series of health information roadshows will be touring the North East of Greater Manchester over the next few months, encouraging the public to share their views about heart and stroke services.

A consultation started this month focusing on proposals to change services for planned cardiology and stroke rehabilitation and a series of public meetings allowed the public to share their views, ideas and concerns about the proposals.

Now roadshows will take to the streets of Rochdale, Bury, Oldham, North Manchester and parts of Rossendale to talk to the public about the plans for change for heart and stroke patients and gather their thoughts and views about the proposals.

The changes are part of the Healthy Futures programme of NHS redesign, and are specifically related to planned cardiology (heart treatment) and stroke rehabilitation.

The proposals have come about following a review of cardiology services in the North East sector of Greater Manchester by Professor Roger Boyle, the then National Director for Heart Disease in March of this year.

Healthcare experts believe that keeping certain cardiology services at Rochdale Infirmary’s Silver Heart Unit without the support of other acute services would be a serious risk to patient safety.

The proposal for planned cardiology is that complicated and high risk cardiology procedures should be moved from the Silver Heart Unit at Rochdale Infirmary to Fairfield General Hospital where essential support services such as intensive care are available.

There are also proposals looking at stroke rehabilitation services, particularly in relation to whether a new ‘step down,’ non urgent stroke facility within Rochdale should be provided. This would be where a small number of local patients who could not go straight home with support, could continue their rehabilitation after the first urgent phase of medical care is over.

This proposal is looking at whether this new facility should be provided somewhere in the Rochdale borough.

Health Trainers will also join the Healthy Futures roadshows offering lifestyle information on nutrition, quitting smoking and increasing physical activity with the opportunity to receive one to one support. They will also be carrying out health checks including blood pressure, body mass index and carbon monoxide readings for smokers.

There will also be the opportunity for members of the public to complete a cardio vascular risk assessment form and discuss their lifestyle with the Health Trainers.

Sir Jonathan Asbridge, Healthy Futures Programme Director, says: “We are committed to ensuring the consultation process is open, transparent and meaningful. The roadshows will be touring town centres and popular locations and encouraging members of the public to share any views, thoughts and ideas they might have about the proposals.”

Further roadshows will be announced later in the year.

The roadshows are part of a 12 weeks formal consultation process around the changes which started on 17th October and concludes on 14th January.

More details are available by calling 0161 655 7422 or email: healthy-futures@hmr.nhs.uk