FREMANTLE HEART PATIENTS SUPPORT GROUP (Inc)

OUR PROFILE

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WHO ARE WE ?

We are a group of people mainly resident in the South West Corridor of Western Australia.  Our membership is comprised of heart patients and non-heart patients alike, all of whom have the objective aim of helping to enhance the lifestyle of pre and post-operative heart patients within the Fremantle Regional Area.

HOW WE STARTED

Fremantle Heart Patients Support Group was formed in 1988 as a registered Charitable Institution with the dual aim of working towards the establishment of a Cardiac Catheter Theatre at Fremantle Hospital and to improve facilities for heart patients.

With the active support of cardiologists,  hospital administration, Fremantle City Council and Parliamentarians, the group began an intense campaign of lobbying the West Australian Government between 1988 and 1990.  A deputation went to the Minister for Health, and the result of this effort was the establishment of a Cardiac Catheter Theatre in Fremantle Hospital. Prior to 1990 all patients requiring an angiogram had to be taken to either Sir Charles Gairdner or Royal Perth hospitals. Initially only angiograms were performed but since 1994 angioplasty and other procedures have regularly and successfully been carried out.

HOW WE PROGRESSED

In 1994 the FHPSG extended its efforts towards lobbying the West Australian Government to establish a Cardiothoracic surgery unit at Fremantle Hospital. This was actively supported by the local community, also the hospital administration and staff.  The hospital tendered for this but unfortunately the Unit was granted to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, again north of the river. Not daunted by this setback the FHPSG went ahead with a 15,000 signature petition for such a unit to be put into Fremantle.  This was presented to Hon Richard Court prior to the State Elections of that time and  our efforts proved successful.  The new Cardiothoracic Surgery Unit was opened by the Premier on Monday 25th August 1997 and is under the direction of its Head Surgeon.

WHAT WE DO

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.

HOW WE DO IT

The Fremantle Heart Patients Support Group (Inc) is an incorporated body and functions with a management committee of twelve persons elected  annually, all heart patients and all volunteers.   Four of these represent the Executive of the committee i.e President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.  From this committee of twelve, sub-committees are formed i.e. fundraising, promotions and funds allocation.

All promotions and fund raising are carried out entirely by members of the Management Committee utilising their own resources, the Fremantle Heart Patients Support Group (Inc) retains no paid staff or commercial fund raising organisations whatsoever. The purpose of fund raising is to provide items of equipment etc that will improve and enhance the care and well being of heart patients in the care of Fremantle Hospital, items to the value of $160,000.00 have already been donated to the Dept of Cardiology.

The Management Committee works in close co-operation with the medical staff and administration of Fremantle Hospital & Health Service.