Cardiac Rehabilitation Lothian is an outpatient service which employs a multidisciplinary team which includes nurses occupational therapists, physiotherapists, doctors and psychologists.
We are based in the Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh but have a range of clinics throughout East, Mid and West Lothian.
The aim of Cardiac Rehabilitation is to provide patients and their families with the knowledge and skills to self manage their heart condition into the long term. We help with physical and psychological affects that people may have after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
These conditions are many and varied but you will be routinely offered an assessment after the following cardiac diagnosis:
- a heart attack,
- angina with stenting,
- coronary artery bypass surgery
- or heart valve surgery.
We accept referrals for other conditions such as heart failure, stable angina, out of hospital cardiac arrest and adult congenital heart disease. You can be referred into our service by your GP or healthcare provider.
We work closely with our community partners including British Heart Foundation, Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, and Edinburgh, Mid, West and East Lothian Leisure.
Assessment
All patients are invited to attend an initial assessment after their cardiac diagnosis. This will be with one of the team. A House of Care approach to assessment is used within all of our clinics which is:
- Underpinned by shared decision making
- Person-centred model used to support long term condition self management
- Help and support with managing risk factor linked to heart disease such and smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes
The Team
Following your assessment a range of interventions are discussed and an agreed care plan reflecting patient need and choice is established. In house interventions may include working with a member of the team on a 1:1 basis, for example for exercise or in supporting return to work. Alternatively you may prefer to join a group session.
Nursing
We have an experienced nurse team which includes an advanced practitioner with non medical prescribing. Nursing interventions include ECG, bloods, wound management and medical risk factor management.
Medical
Within the team we have a consultant in rehabilitation medicine.
Occupational Therapy
Getting back to work after a heart attack or surgery can sometimes prove challenging. At your assessment if we think you need further support we can arrange for you to see one of our occupational therapists. Patients, who have a physical element to their job, can be offered a comprehensive work assessment to identify any issues or barriers to getting back to employment. They can also offer a written report for your employer. This provides details of practical adjustments that employers can make to facilitate your / allow you to return to work.
Physiotherapy
If you require specialist support with physical recovery then this can be provided by our physical therapy team. Individual assessments are carried out and appropriate exercises and advice given. We have a range of tests to measure your fitness which are appropriate to all levels of exercise.
Psychology
Heart conditions can affect people mentally as well as physically. All the team have training in supporting and assessing psychological needs. We use a stepped model which means you will be seen by the best person in dealing with your psychological issues. Where appropriate you can be referred to the Cardiac Psychologists. This is an outpatient service for patients aged 16 and over. Patients are seen individually for short-term focused therapy, such as cognitive behaviour therapy. Further information is available on the psychology page.
Partner services
We work in partnership with colleagues from the lipid (cholesterol) clinic, smoking cessation and weight management. We have direct referral links to leisure facilities across Lothian where patients can access timely physical exercise and support in their local area.
How can we help?
Have a browse of the content on this website and use our information, resources and contacts if you think it may be of benefit to you or someone you know. If after this you feel you could benefit from being seen by our service contact your GP and ask to be referred.
