Who are we?
The Sussex Heart Charity supports care of the heart throughout Sussex.
Since 1987 we have promoted excellence in cardiac related funding on the following: purchasing equipment, funding education and research, promoting resuscitation in the community and supporting the cardiac rehabilitation service for those with heart disease. Over 100,000 members of the public have resuscitation training via Heartguard instructors over the past 20 years. We are funded from donations, legacies and fundraising activities.
The Sussex Cardiac Centre
Opened in June 1999, the Cardiac Centre is now in full swing, it runs a brisk programme of catheter tests and treatments offering the most modern techniques for cardiac surgery in adults. Around 750 operations are now carried out in Brighton each year. Cardiologists from all over Sussex now take part in the Centre’s work making it a hub of expertise and providing leading edge facilities for heart patients throughout the county. The Sussex Heart Charity has made a major contribution to the Centre’s development.
Purchasing Equipment
The total spent on equipment since 1987 is overpic2 £2,500,000. Much of this equipment is now computer based and therefore will be in need of upgrading in the near future. Unfortunately the NHS is often unable to fund this part of the service. This is an area where the Sussex Heart Charity will be of great benefit for patients in the future. As well as major purchases we also purchase many smaller items.
Providing Information
Over the years we have produced several Information Videos: Coronary Angiography, Pacemakers, Heart Attack Action, The Road to Health and Cardiac Rehabilitation. We also produce booklets for patients that have suffered a heart attack or are about to undergo cardiac surgery. We support the heart failure nurses here in Sussex by funding information booklets and a resource pack.
Supporting Training
We have also funded training of cardiac technicians here in Brighton as well as throughout Sussex. This has benefited both staff and patients by reducing waiting times for both in hospital and outpatient appointments, as well as ensuring a solid staff base for the future. We support nursing staff by offering educational grants for those wishing to attend cardiac based conferences or courses.
Research
The Cardiology Research Unit in Brighton has been at the centre of research for many years carrying out vital research and audit projects which will help improve survival and quality of life for cardiac patients for many years to come. We help them to do this by providing support for equipment and by funding Research Staff to help on these projects.
Support Cardiac Rehabilitation
The Cardiac Rehabilitation team assists patients in the physical and psychological recovery from heart attacks or from heart surgery. Over the years we have supported rehabilitation through staff salaries, supplying equipment and by producing information booklets and videos.
Resuscitation and Training
The Sussex Heart Charity has provided funding for administration and support with the provision of competent Trainers and the funding for AED's and cabinets for some of the 50 PAD sites, and part funding of a significant project installing AED's into Gatwick Airport, one of the World's busiest airports.
Joe Marshall - Responder Network Lead South East Coast Ambulance Service - "The Sussex Heart Charity has without doubt provided vital support to myself and growing department and assisted many people in resuscitation training, provision of equipment and actual resuscitation events. On behalf of South East Coast Ambulance Service I would like to thank each and every one of the Team and welcome a long and prosperous partnership."
Heartguard
The Heartguard Community Resuscitation programme teaches members of community how to deal with an emergency situation by carrying out Emergency Life Support. To date, Heartguard have trained over 100,000 members of the public, an achievement funded entirely from the Sussex Heart Charity. With the continuing growth of Automated Defibrillators within the community, much of our training relates to instructing people in their use. The scheme remains at the forefront of national interest.
The Future
Where do we go from here?
We still have lots of room to grow. On our menu for immediate support are: using even better devices for keeping coronary arteries open; enhancing the specialised electrical heart tests from which many of our patients will benefit; improving the heart care of patients with diabetes; speeding the diagnosis and treatment of heart attacks; and improving the way key information gets to our doctors and patients. There is no slackening of the pace to keep within Sussex a Centre of Excellence in
Cardiac Care
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How do we continue to do this?
Through the tremendous support we have received in the past from members of the community, in particular, cardiac patients and their families. This support can vary from small donations, income from fundraising events or from bequests. But we desperately need your help to enable us to continue with this valuable work.
You can help by:
- Taking part in one our fundraising events
- Organising fundraising events on our behalf
- Making a donation
- Making a Bequest
- Working as a volunteer
If you would like to know more about our future fundraising activities or maybe you would like to make a donation. Please feel free to contact us.
Your support will enable us to continue to bring the best care possible to cardiac patients and their families in Sussex.