"The programme is made easier to attend"

Earlier this year I had problems with my heart, the Royal Hospital Belfast (Via the Ulster) had inserted 5 stents in 2016 but chest pains put me back to the Ulster Hospital Cardiac ward, earlier this year.

I was admitted into a 'Corridor bed', basically a bed at the side of the main corridor through the ward, with a screen around the bed, no washing facilities (had to use the Ward public toilets to have a body wash/brush my teeth), no privacy, lack of sleep with staff moving around all night.  Not a good experience I signed myself out after 5 days when the sister told me to have a quick shower in a room just vacated and before another patient came up from A & E. A horrible experience but I had to come back in within a week. 

I was transferred to the Royal Hospital Belfast who checked my stents/Arteries and found a problem that was sorted.  From this I was referred to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Service at the Ulster Hospital. 

Having attended a few sessions in 2017, I went along to complete the full course this time. The course was run by Ashleigh, Stephanie, Ashley and the wonderful physio. About an hour of various exercises each week, then a presentation on related matters such as healthy eating, smoking, stress and others over an 8 week period. 

I have to say the team had changed since I last attended 6 years ago and what a superb difference, the programme is made easier to attend due to the 'people' friendly staff, easy to get on with and a bit of friendly banter.  These ladies are a credit to their profession and the trust.