Fremantle Heart Patients Support Service

In 1989 the Fremantle Heart Patients Support Group initiated a counselling service ( known as the Cardiac Support Service ) in which heart patients volunteered to be trained to converse with patients attending the Cardiac Catheter Theatre. These Cardiac Supporters are trained by qualified hospital educational staff to carry out this service. Initially there were 16 support people who were rostered over the three days that the Catheter Theatre functioned. Now there are approximately 48 Cardiac Support volunteers who are rostered to cover the now five day operational week. Regular training courses are held and new members added to the core group. This service is now well accepted and recognised by the cardiologists, theatre staff and patients as being an essential part of the treatment programme carried out. The Cardiac Support Service has been extended to encompass the Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit. This service involves appropriately trained cardiac supporters being available to converse with patients and their families during their pre-procedural tests in the Cardiothoracic Surgery pre-admission clinic. The Cardiac Support Service also services the Coronary Care Unit. The Fremantle Heart Patients Support Group are also involved in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme which is for post surgery or cardiac episode patients, this being a natural follow-on from the Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit.