Action Heart has returned to Russells Hall Hospital to continue its successful cardiac rehabilitation programme at a purpose-built exercise and rehabilitation centre.

The service currently accommodates more than 1,000 patients/users per week, the majority of which are cardiac patients.

Other groups include medical referrals from GPs and consultants as well hospital staff.

The Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust has invested in the facility as part of its multi-million pound hospital building programme.

The move means the charity will be able to continue its development, which includes supporting the growing number of rehabilitation programmes around the country.

Exercise programmes are individually based and supported by lifestyle seminars including smoking cessation, counselling, stress management and dietary advice.

Action Heart, which operates one of the longest-running cardiac rehabilitation programmes in the UK, is contracted to provide its services by The Dudley Health Economy.

The new facility increases the capacity of the service to accept an increasing number of cardiac referrals. This includes a new collaboration with the local primary care trusts. This will establish an exercise referral scheme in which Action Heart will receive high risk individuals who are excluded from participation in typical exercise referral schemes and leisure facilities.