Leading Health Charity Hosts Inaugural Cardiac Aftercare Symposium in Edinburgh

Scottish health charity Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland hosted the organisation’s first Cardiac Aftercare Symposium. 

This event, supported by the University of Edinburgh and Glasgow Caledonian University, brought together clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience to share ideas and learning on how best to provide support after out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).   

Guest speakers at the event last week included Thomas Lindner and Anna Moe Øvstebø from Norway’s RAKOS (Regional Centre for Emergency Medical Research and Development) Centre, and Dr Uzma Sajjad of the Essex Cardio-Thoracic Centre at Basildon Hospital. 

Attendees also heard from various speakers from Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland about its OHCA project that was launched in partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service in 2023 to provide support to those involved in or witnessing an out of hospital cardiac arrest.   

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) is Scotland’s largest health charity supporting people with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid, to live their lives to the full. 

In its No Life Half Lived strategy, CHSS has committed to ensuring that every person with chest, heart and stroke conditions and Long Covid conditions has access to quality supported self management and community recovery through its Community Healthcare Support Service. 

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland chief executive Jane-Claire Judson commented: “I want to extend a huge thanks to all our speakers and attendees at the inaugural Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland cardiac aftercare symposium. 

“At CHSS we are committed to supporting continuous professional development for NHS Health Boards and other healthcare partners through the provision of health information eLearning and training resources and face-to-face education.  

“This education is key to making informed health choices, achieving better health outcomes and enhancing the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals.” 

If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text ADVICE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.