Tory fury over heart scheme

THE leader of the Conservative group on Oldham Council is outraged over the potential closure of what he described as an invaluable rehabilitation scheme which helped his own recovery from a heart attack.

Councillor Jack Hulme (72) suffered a heart attack last July and was referred to the REACH scheme (Referrals Encouraging Activity, Confidence and Health) in January following a period of hospital rehabilitation.

Operated by Oldham Community Leisure (OCL) but funded by NHS Oldham, it is designed to improve the health and wellbeing of residents affected by a wide range of medical conditions, including those with chronic cardiac and respiratory problems, obesity and spinal pain.

Clients are referred to the scheme by their GP or hospital teams where exercise is likely to be of benefit to their health.

Although running costs have not been released by NHS Oldham, councillors believe the figure is less than £50,000 a year.

Councillor Hulme said concerns from fellow clients over an end to scheme funding and its potential withdrawal had prompted Conservative councillors to campaign for its survival.

He said: “Preventing and managing ill health through exercise can significantly improve people’s quality of life as well as reduce the need for expensive medication, operations and hospital stays later on.

“Trying to save money in this way is simply false economy.”

Councillor Hulme said that to date, 433 people had taken part in the scheme with around 150 people currently attending sessions every week.

He said after only three months taking part in weekly, one-hour exercise sessions, his lung capacity has doubled. He added that if the scheme were withdrawn, Oldham would be one of the only boroughs in the area without an exercise referral scheme.

He said: “The REACH scheme is an excellent example of how organisations can work together to deliver a high quality and value for money service to local people.

“To abandon it now would be a real blow to our aspirations to make Oldham a healthier borough.”

The Conservative group has written to NHS Oldham to urge it to continue funding the scheme.

Ian Kendall, OCL chief executive, said: “We would be bitterly disappointed if it was brought to a close. The REACH scheme is working in terms of improving health in Oldham.

“I’m sure the NHS realises its value as well.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Oldham said the REACH service was currently being evaluated, alongside a range of commissioned services to help people to be more active, more often.

Gail Richards, chief executive of NHS Oldham, said the REACH scheme began three and a half years ago but she could not say whether it was at risk of closure.

She said: “The service was secured for a three-year period, so we have extended it while we carry out this review period. We are genuinely taking a look at the different things we are supporting and are working together with partners to be much clearer about the range of possibilities for people.

“This particular programme review is part of a more general review of services which is taking longer than expected. We had hoped to have this completed by now, and are hoping to have it agreed by the end of April.”