Wirral Heart Support Centre and Wirral Heart Beat celebrate two decades of helping heart patients

Aug 4 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL Heart Support Centre and Wirral Heart Beat are celebrating two major milestones in helping heart patients on the treadmill to recovery.

The centre, based at St Catherine’s Hospital in Birkenhead, is now in its twentieth year of helping people recover after surgery, heart attacks or other cardiac problems.

And one of its main supporters, Wirral Heart Beat, is marking ten years since the opening of its first gym for heart patients in fire stations across Wirral.

Once patients have completed their rehabilitation programme at the Heart Support Centre at St Cath’s, they can continue to keep fit at one of the charity’s seven “outreach” gyms.

Wirral Heart Beat has also raised money for gym equipment to the centre, buying four new treadmills worth £30,000 in the last year alone.

Frieda Rimmer, Clinical Services Manager, for NHS Wirral, said: “We are grateful for the support the team at Wirral Heartbeat have given to us at the Heart Support Centre over the years.

“At the Heart Support Centre, we have seen some fascinating characters over the years and we see our service as more than a health recovery service but a place where people can meet new friends and socialise.

“They often help one another to recover through their shared experiences and knowledge.