Heartlink & Cardiac Research
At the beginning of May, Heartlink members and supporters gathered at Ealing Hospital to hear about developments in cardiac research and to learn about opportunities to get involved themselves. They heard a presentation from Emma Howard and Reinette Hampson from the Northwick Park Research Cardiac Research Charity, which is located at Northwick Park Hospital, part of our local Hospital Trust. The Director of Cardiac Research is Consultant Cardiologist Professor Roxy Senior.
Over the last year, 684 local heart patients have taken part in over 20 studies at the Northwick Park Research Centre, covering areas such as coronary artery disease, heart failure and heart attacks, and including investigations into heart medicines, tests and treatments. As examples of their work in recent years, they told us about their involvement in trials of medicines that have many of us has used, such as Apixaban blood thinner. Many of their studies are particularly aimed at treatments for conditions which affect high numbers in our local, diverse communities.
One area of their work is to help educate local NHS staff who regularly carry out stress echocardiography, known to us as ‘stress echo tests’ so that they can achieve better diagnoses for patients.
They finished the presentation with an invitation to Heartlink members to sign up to be checked for adding to a list of volunteers who can be invited to take part in future studies. There were many takers.
After a lively question & answer session the presenters stayed behind to discuss queries with individual members.
Please see their presentation HERE.
Speading the Word
One of Heartlink’s key roles is to raise awareness about the many different aspects of heart health in our local communities. We go out to meet and talk to people, running presentations and stalls and giving out hundreds of heart health booklets from the British Heart Foundation, as well as our own leaflets. We also promote the Ealing Smokefree Service to help local people give up a habit which is one of the main causes of heart disease and cancer.
In a two week at the end of April, over 20 of our volunteers helped us at four different events where we spread the word about heart health to hundreds of local people. At the Hope Church in Perivale, we ran a Heartlink stall for local people who had been invited to a special event where they were offered a range of health checks by the church community.
At Ealing Gurdwara we were invited by the President and Committee to run a Heartlink stall as part of their important Vaisakhi celebrations, with hundreds talking to us. At Oswald Rd Gurdwara in Southall, we were invited to give a presentation and run a stall for Sunday worshippers. Our Trustee, Dr Harmandeep Singh gave a very well received speech, and we received a generous donation from the Committee to help with our work.
Finally, at Ealing Hospital we ran our two regular weekly stalls, talking to large numbers of patients and visitors, including people sent to the new Community Diagnostic Centre for a range of tests by their GP's.
Learning about CPR and defibrillators
At our 3rd April meeting at Ealing Hospital, Heartlink members and supporters were given a talk by Dr. Harman Singh about CPR and defibrillators. (CPR is Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation). Over 60 members and supporters turned out for a fascinating lecture at which Dr. Harman explained why we all need to understand about CPR and how to give it to someone in an emergency.
In recent years, the standard guidance for how to undertake CPR has changed and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation is no longer practised. It now involves correctly carried out rapid chest compressions until emergency services arrive. Doctor Harman also opened up Heartlink 's own defibrillator to demonstrate it's simple to use audio instructions. Doctor Harman is a Consultant in Cardiology and Acute Medicine at Ealing Hospital, and he was assisted by Heartlink supporter Cynthia Balabala, who is a Heart Failure Specialist Nurse.
After demonstrating how to carry out CPR, Doctor Harmon took lots of questions from the audience. Then attendees were encouraged to practise CPR technique themselves on one of the four CPR practice dummies at the session.
Everyone enjoyed the interactive nature of the event, and many attendees told us they felt they had gained important knowledge about CPR and defibrillators and have a much better idea of what to do if confronted with an emergency situation.
To watch a video of Dr Harman demonstrating CPR technique see below.
Volunteers visit Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Southall
Heartlink Trustees and volunteers recently visited Southall’s largest Gurdwara, Sri Guru Singh Sabha, where they received a warm welcome. The visits focused on raising heart health awareness and training Gurdwara volunteers in CPR. Leading the sessions was Trustee Dr. Harmandeep Singh, alongside Dr. Parvinder Garcha, a Trustee and Committee Member at the Gurdwara.
On January 15th, Dr. Harman, with assistance from Ealing Hospital Cardiologist Dr. Jamie Kitt, demonstrated CPR and provided hands-on training to volunteers. This was paired with first aid lessons from local Scout leaders. Meanwhile, Heartlink ran a well-received information stall at the Gurdwara entrance, distributing leaflets and booklets.
On February 2nd, Dr. Harman and Heartlink Committee Member Sunny Chana spoke to a congregation of several hundred about heart health and recovery from major heart conditions. Dr. Garcha followed, explaining Heartlink's role. Heartlink volunteers also ran a busy stall, engaging with visitors and gaining new contacts and members. We were very pleased to be helped by Ealing Councillors Harbhajan and Ranjit Dheer who are key supporters.
While smoking is less common in the Sikh community, the Ealing Smokefree Service sparked strong interest, especially among younger people.
Help for heart failure patients
Sara Tavares who is a Heart Failure Specialist Nurse & Research Assistant, and is based locally at Hanwell Health Centre, gave our March 6th meeting at Ealing Hospital a fascinating presentation about how virtual wards are being used to help some heart failure patients. The meeting was attended by over 50 members and supporters, who asked Sarah dozens of questions after her presentation.
A virtual ward is when patients are monitored at home using a range of simple to use equipment which is connected electronically to a team of medical professionals, who check progress and receive alarms if they are sent. It also includes some face-to-face treatment. For virtual wards to be successful, it helps if patients have supportive family around them at home.
Heart failure is a condition when the heart is unable to pump nutrients and oxygen rich blood around the body and it has a variety of causes. Virtual wards are in use by the NHS to support some patients to stay at home, or to discharge them sooner from hospital. There are benefits to individual patients and to the NHS if people can be looked after well at home.
Sarah is a long time friend and supporter of Heartlink and her presentation is available to view HERE
The Future of Heart Treatments
In the evening of 6th February, 60 attendees at the Heartlink meeting at Ealing Hospital learned about exciting advances in AI and its potential to improve heart care for patients and those at risk.
Longtime friend of Heartlink and leading Ealing Hospital Cardiologist, Professor Stuart Rosen gave us a detailed presentation about the potential of AI for cardiology and the benefits it is already bringing. By analysing the large volumes of detailed patient data that is already available, AI can enhance cardiology by
· improving the prediction of heart problems for individuals.
· improving and speeding up the analysis of cardiac tests and imaging including abnormalities in heart rhythms
· helping with the treatment of heart failure
· and in improving the success of heart surgery and interventions.
There is every indication that the next decade will see huge improvements in heart disease detection and treatment.
After questions and discussion, in a lively agenda of updates on other important issues, many members contributed on:
· our plans to explore and clarify patient rights
· Help for our work of raising awareness, especially regarding the Ealing Smokefree Service
· Topics for our future meetings
· Member consultation and involvement in local cardiac service development plans
· Our prostate cancer awareness session at the next Heartlink Community Hub on the afternoon of 20th February
· The new leaflet to promote our Weekly Wednesday Walkers’ group
· The new Heart Health Headlines section on our website
Huge interest at Greenford Mosque
On Friday 15th November, over 500 worshippers at Greenford Mosque listened to Heartlink supporter and leading local cardiologist Dr Nabeel Ahmed talk about heart health and getting help to give up smoking. Meanwhile, Heartlink members ran a well-received stall with leaflets and booklets at the front of the Mosque.
Doctor Nabeel spoke and replied to questions for half an hour, responding to a high level of interest in the audience. After prayers, both Doctor Nabeel and the volunteers were asked for lots of advice and information, particularly about how to access the new Ealing Smokefree service so that they can get help to quit smoking. Many said they find it difficult to use the normal ways of accessing NHS services to get the advice and help they want.
Heartlink is very grateful to Greenford Central Medina Mosque and its General Secretary, Mr Muhibur Rahman for the opportunity they provided us to raise vital awareness. We intend to try and address a number of other Mosques across the Ealing area in addition to Gurdwaras, Mandirs and other churches.
Our biggest and best event in 30 years
Over 300 members, supporters and friends enjoyed a fantastic evening celebrating Heartlink’s 30th Anniversary at the Blue Room, Harrow on the evening of Friday 17th May. The event underlined the development of Heartlink into one of the strongest and most effective Heart Support Groups in London and the UK.
We enjoyed an evening of good food, music, dancing and fundraising, plus inspiring speeches from our founder, trustees and key supporters.
The Heartlink organising team was led by Krishanjit Bajwa and our great thanks go to her and all those who helped her make it such a huge success. We also say a big thank you to Mahesh and his team at the Blue Room for hosting us so well and making the delicious food.
After a welcome from our MC for the evening, Tony Patti, we were served delicious starters and then heard from:
· Professor Jaspal Kooner, our founder and President
· Channi Singh, internationally famous Bhangra singer and our new Heart Health Ambassador.
· Councillor Mohinder Midha, who as Mayor of Ealing had raised major funds for our work.
· and Trustee Dr Harmandeep Singh.
TO SEE MANY MORE PHOTOS OF THE EVENT CLICK BELOW
Dr Amarjit Sethi (Trustee) was on hand to welcome guests and raise our profile amongst partners. A display on the large screen showed attendees scenes from Heartlink’s work and history. Our Trustees thanked key donors for funds they presented and pledged to us, and then Tony Patti, supported by long term friend of Heartlink, Steve Pound, ran a raffle for some great donated prizes, to raise more funds for us.
After more delicious food, the audience settled down to a couple of hours of unrestrained dancing and were treated to great live performances from Channi Singh and his daughter Mona.
We were joined for the evening by supporters, friends and key partners from across our area including:
· The Northwest London University Healthcare NHS Trust.
· Pingalwara Charitable Society
· Mael Gael Community Project.
· Ealing Gurdwara
· Shree Ram Mandir Southall.
· West London Asian Society
· NHS staff from Ealing Hospital Cardiology,
Hanwell Rehab Service and Hillingdon Hospital.
· Hounslow Multicultural Centre.
· Southall Lions.
· Howdens
Heartlink wins Southall Team of the Year
Heartlink was honoured to be awarded Team of the Year by Southall Community Alliance at its Annual Awards Ceremony on Saturday 25th November.
The award is in recognition of our work as a charity to help and support local heart patients and to raise awareness about heart disease in the local community. We have significantly increased our work and initiatives over the last year, and this award encourages us to redouble our efforts.
A group of 10 Heartlink members received the Award on the stage and took full part in a lively and varied award ceremony which recognised a number of local ‘unsung heroes’ and was attended by approximately 200 local people.
We would like to thank the Directors and Board of Southall Community Alliance for this honour. Heartlink members are pictured with Jaskaran Singh, a leading board member, Channi Singh, an internationally famous singer and musician, who is a proud product of the Southall community and our long-time supporter and benefactor Cllr Mrs Mohinder Midha, who presented many of the Awards.
Ealing Mayor presents cheque for our heart health programme
At a ceremony in the Council chamber at Ealing Town Hall on 17th August, Councillor Mrs Mohinder Midha presented Heartlink with a cheque for a huge £22,516. This represented the funds she had raised for us as her selected charity during her mayoral year, which ended in May. She did tireless and fantastic work throughout her year, getting donations and organising a large number of fundraising events, including celebration dinners. She was ably supported by Cheryl and the staff in the Mayor’s office.
A team of 15 Heartlink members were welcomed to the ceremony by the Mayor, her husband, Southall MP Virendra Sharma, long standing Heartlink supporters Councillors Harbajan and Ranjit Dheer, together with major donors from the Western Rd Gurdwara. Other major donors and fundraisers included staff from the Southall branch of Barclays Bank.
Heartlink chairman Trevor Davison thanked the Mayor for the huge effort she has made and presented her with an inscribed heart-shaped crystal plaque and a framed certificate of thanks. Heartlink representatives told the Mayor that the funds will be used to create a legacy for her efforts, by developing and extending our campaign to raise awareness of heart disease in the community. We shall involve her and her husband with us in this.
Fittingly, the ceremony was also attended by the wife and daughter of the late and much missed former Mayor Tejinder Dhami, who also raised substantial funds for us as his chosen charity,
in 2018-19.
For more PHOTOS see our Photo Gallery HERE.
Heartlink honours a great supporter and community leader
On a lovely warm summer morning on 12th June at Ealing Hospital, Heartlink held a well-attended ceremony in honour of
Councillor Tejinder Singh Dhami. During his term as Mayor of Ealing in 2018-19, Tejinder, who was a heart patient himself, adopted Heartlink as one of his chosen charities and raised many thousands of pounds for us.
This was used to purchase monitors for heart failure patients and items for the Cardiac ward at the hospital. During the period of the pandemic, these funds were crucial in keeping Heartlink functioning and were used to provide oximeters and oxygen concentrators. Sadly, Tejinder passed away in 2021 after many years of service to the local community and 20 years as a councillor..
At the ceremony, Councillor Mrs Mohinder Midha, who has just completed her own term as Mayor of Ealing, cut the ribbon on a new bench at the hospital entrance inscribed in honour of Tejinder. Tejinder’s wife, Rajinder Kaur Dhami unveiled a plaque in his memory in the Cardiology Clinic on Level 2. The ceremony was attended by Tejinder’s family and friends, ex colleagues from Ealing Council, Hospital staff and Trust representatives, as well as Heartlink members. The attendees heard tributes to Tejinder from his daughter, Neelam Kaur Dhami, Councillor Mrs Midha, Heartlink President Professor Jaspal Kooner and supporter Professor Stuart Rosen, plus Heartlink Chairman, Trevor Davison.
Tejinder’s invaluable fundraising work for Heartlink has been continued by his family, who raised £6000 for us in his memory, and by councillor Mrs Midha, who also adopted Heartlink as her Mayoral Charity for the year just gone.
After the ceremony, the attendees chatted and had light refreshments in the upper entrance area of the hospital.
The beautiful new Inscribed bench will remind us of Tejinder every time we enter or leave the hospital.
For more PHOTOS see our Photo Gallery HERE.
Hospital Chiefs welcome Heartlink as partner
A well-attended Heartlink meeting at Ealing Hospital on 2nd March heard Pippa Nightingale, Chief Executive of the NHS Trust which includes Ealing Hospital, and Nigel Stephens, Director of Cardiology for the Trust, talk about plans for the Hospital and the Trust, and respond to areas of concern raised by members.
There are exciting plans to open a new ‘Integrated Diagnostic Hub’ at the Hospital in coming months. This new facility will deliver a huge improvement to services for the public and will also address a major area of concern raised by many members. In future, patients will visit the new hub and be able to have a range of diagnostic tests such as MRIs, CT scans, blood tests etc. on a single visit, hugely speeding up the diagnostic process for patients and avoiding multiple visits.
It is hoped that the implementation of a new digital care record system in the Trust, as part of a national initiative, will help tackle problems about access to patients’ own records, including to test results, and end the confusing use of different hospital numbers by adopting the person’s NHS number.
We raised the problems many members have with digital communications from the Trust, such as appointment and consultation letters, emails and texts, which require modern technology to read, which they cannot use.
Heartlink voiced their appreciation of staff in Cardiology and across the Trust and the commitment they show to patients and local communities.
Both the Chief Executive and the Director of Cardiology voiced their strong support for the work that Heartlink does and said that they want to welcome us into the Hospital to support cardiology patients, many of whom need the support we provide. They stated that they see us as a key partner, helping them to shape services for local patients in the future.
Heartlink Trustee Professor Rosen, Senior Cardiologist at Ealing, thanked them for their support and attendance and said that the meeting was a big step forward in our working relationship with the Trust.
Our thanks to everyone who attended and particularly to Ben Jackson, Cardiac Cath Lab Superintendent Radiographer for helping to set up the meeting.
Pippa Nightingale, Trust Chief Executive, speaking at the meeting.