Wheatbelt residents recovering from serious heart conditions are now able to access potentially life-saving programs at home, thanks to the launch of regional Western Australia's first nurse-led telehealth cardiac rehabilitation service.
The cardiac rehabilitation service is available to people recovering from heart attack, heart failure, surgery, or heart disease and includes specialist programs of exercise, nutrition, education, and counselling tailored to individual patient needs.
Cardiac rehabilitation is proven to keep people out of hospital, reduce the risk of future heart conditions, and reduce the risk of death from heart conditions.
Delivered securely via computer, smart device, or phone at a time that suits the patient, the new service connects patients with an experienced cardiac rehabilitation clinical nurse specialist who works with the patient on a personalised, long-term program.
The flexibility of a telehealth-delivered, in-home service means that patients are more likely to start sooner and continue with their rehabilitation program, improving outcomes and quality of life, and lessening the chances of hospital readmission.
The cardiac rehabilitation program is the latest initiative using state-of-the-art videoconferencing technology to deliver care closer to home in regional WA.
To access the service, patients can seek a referral from their GP. Self-referral options are also available.
As stated by Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"Heart attack, heart failure, and heart disease are among the leading causes of death in Western Australia, and we are working hard to bring potentially life-saving support programs closer to home for people in our regions.
"This telehealth-enabled cardiac rehabilitation service is a ground-breaking program that has incredible potential to save lives and improve the quality of life for regional residents and their families."
