GHA recruits resuscitation officer

The Gibraltar Health Authority has recruited a Resuscitation Officer for its Cardiac Rehabilitation Services.

As part of their role, the Resuscitation Officer will provide Basic Life Support training to members of the public to increase the awareness of cardiac health, cardiac disease, and also to create a greater level of life support trained individuals in the community.

In a statement the Government said that since its inauguration in December 2017 the Lionel Perez Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre has gone from strength to strength and has easily established itself as a gold standard medical service.

Since that time, 1877 patients have been seen in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program and 4039 patients have attended the Cardiac Rehabilitation Self-Help Group.

In January 2019, the weekly schedule for rehabilitation was reviewed, and an increase from six to nine hours per week was offered to the Gibraltar Cardiac Association members to allow for an increase in the number of self-help exercise group sessions.

The service plans to continue to expand supported by the Association, and with regular updates and meetings with the Minister for Health Neil Costa.

“I am absolutely committed to continue to work closely with our community and the groups and associations that work so hard to advocate for patients and service users,” Mr Costa said.

“There is no doubt in my mind that listening to the advice from those who experience health care from the patient’s perspective can only help us improve our services. Cardiac Rehabilitation is an excellent example of working together, and I am truly delighted to see how this service is developing.”

The Association have offered to donate an elliptical cross trainer to the already excellent suite of gym equipment funded through charitable donations.

The Association has also engaged with the Resuscitation Officer and the Paramedic Services to identify more locations for automatic defibrillators (AEDs) in Gibraltar and to undertake a public awareness campaign.

“The transformation of the Cardiac Rehabilitation service from 2017 to today has been amazing, and has been driven forward by Mr Gerry Fortuna, Clinical Nurse Specialist,” Dr Krishna Rawal, Clinical Director of Primary Care said.

“We provide a service fully in line with the standards of the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation and support the whole community with self-help groups, awareness campaigns and training.”

Suyenne Perez-Catania, Chairperson of the Gibraltar Cardiac Association said: “We are delighted with the recruitment of a Resuscitation Officer by the GHA and the continued efforts to improve the services offered at the Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre.”

“The Association is very encouraged with the progress that has been made in such a short time. The positive feedback received from members using the Centre demonstrates how much this service was needed in our community.”

“The purchase of two AEDs and new equipment sponsored by a donation from the Gibraltar Women’s Lodge of Freemasonry illustrates the commitment by all involved to give cardiac patients the support needed to improve their chances of recovery to full health.”

“The Association is extremely grateful to Mr Costa and his team for the help and support being provided to develop the service, provide training and create awareness for the benefit of the community. It is by working together that we can achieve success."