"I have just completed a course ..."

What I liked

I have just completed a course at the “Bedford Hospital Cardiac Recovery Programme”, better known as the “Bedford Heart Beat”. This followed a successful aortic valve replacement carried out at Papworth Hospital in February. I have nothing but praise for all aspects of the medical treatment I received, but wanted to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to the host and their dedicated team at the BHB. The series of planned exercises, in the “Cardiac Circus” and all the useful following talks provided an excellent environment in which one could come to terms with the aftermath of major surgery. A feeling of well being was, in my view, one of the main benefits. This was not just a physical phenomena, but mental as well. Being with others who had gone through similar traumas instilled confidence in ones ability to test out the capability of ones heart. Also, the range of people who came, and very few dropped out, showed that the course was well designed to help all types of need.

I am well aware that the NHS is very much in the news, and with this new government we must wait to see what “efficiency” savings are demanded. I would put the BHB into a safety net, under the sign “Do not tamper with” as, to me it is a natural follow on to the more specific “medical” treatments for cardiac patients. Whilst it obviously has a cost implication, the fact that it is still going strong after fifteen years surely shows its value.

Therefore I request most strongly that when you and your team are faced with difficult decisions about the finance of Bedford Hospital, you see BHB as one of the best “value for money” and a natural addition to the Cardiac department.