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OH nurses called on to take-up rehabilitation role in government drive to reduce coronary heart disease fatalities
Occupational health nurses must search out specialist cardiac rehabilitation nurses in their local area and work with them before heart attack patients are returned to the workplace.
This was the message from assistant public health director of Herefordshire health authority Jill Ashley-Jones, speaking at a conference run by the NHS executive in Birmingham last month.
Stressing the importance of teamwork between occupational health and cardiac nurses, she said, "If a patient with coronary heart disease is returning to work, there are matters that occupational health nurses need to be aware of before these patients are sent into the workplace.
"It is no good sending a patient back into a work environment that is unsuitable for them."
Her comments come as health secretary Alan Milburn announced plans to reduce the number of deaths from heart disease by 40 per cent in the next 10 years.
Coronary heart disease is one of the biggest killers in this country and claims the lives of 110,000 people a year.
The Government's blueprint for tackling the disease - National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease - recognises the importance of modern prevention and primary care, as well as the contribution of more specialised services such as rehabilitation.
Occupational health nurses will be an important part of the rehabilitation process as people who have suffered a heart attack, had bypass surgery or angioplasty will be offered a programme of support to aid their recovery.
Coronary Heart Disease National Service Framework for CHD www.doh.gov.uk/pointh.htm
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