Surviving a cardiac arrest marks the start of a new journey. Many people feel lost after leaving hospital. They face challenges with little support. This week, the Life After Cardiac Arrest Podcast highlights a project that aims to change this. I talked with Dr Nathan Pearson about the CARESSf Project.
What is the CARESSf Project?
The CARESSf Project stands for Cardiac Arrest Recovery Enablement and Supportive Self-Management Feasibility. This research study focuses on bridging the gap in cardiac arrest survivorship care. Along with Professor Kirstie Haywood, Dr Pearson leads the project, bringing both expertise and compassion. The project helps survivors and their families move from hospital discharge to long-term recovery.
Why Survivorship Care Matters
Medical teams save lives every day. However, many survivors and their loved ones struggle after leaving hospital. They face emotional, cognitive, and practical issues. The CARESSf Project offers a structured programme. It supports the body, mind, and community. Survivors and co-survivors get the help they need.
A Personalised Approach and SCA UK’s Role
The CARESSf Project supports both survivors and “co-survivors.” Co-survivors include family and friends affected by the event. The programme offers one-to-one sessions, group meetings, and tailored resources. People learn to manage fatigue and memory changes and to find peer support.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest UK (SCA UK) proudly helps connect survivors and co-survivors to this support. We work closely with the CARESSf team. Our goal is to make sure everyone can access help, no matter where they live.
Building on Excellent Foundations
The CARESSf Project builds on the work at the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre. Professor Tom Keeble and the CARE team lead this effort. Their work sets a high standard for survivorship care. The CARESSf Project expands on these foundations to reach more people.
Spotlight on Jeanne Reilly
Jeanne Reilly stands out as both a survivor and a speech and language therapist. She contributes her professional skills and lived experience to the CARESSf Project. Jeanne helps make the programme more accessible and relevant. Look out for two upcoming podcast episodes where Paul speaks with Jeanne about her story and her work.
Looking Ahead
We discuss the challenges of rolling out the programme across the UK and talk about the importance of patient and public involvement. The CARESSf Project could become a model for bridging the gap in cardiac arrest survivorship care nationwide.
If you or someone you know has experienced cardiac arrest, listen to this episode. Recovery means more than survival. It means living well, finding support, and knowing you are not alone.
You can listen to the episode below or on Spotify, Apple or your favourite podcast player.
Listen to the full episode now and join the conversation about bridging the gap in cardiac arrest survivorship care.
After our first meet-up in February 2015, I realised I was not alone. It was the first time since my cardiac arrest the previous year that I had spoken face-to-face with someone who had experienced what I had. This was also true for my wife, who also happened to be my lifesaver. From that meet-up, the idea of SCA UK was born. Since then, we have achieved a considerable amount, primarily providing information, resources and support to others in a similar situation but also raising the profile of survivorship and the need for better post-discharge care. We are starting to get traction in this, and with the formation of the charity, I genuinely believe we have a bright future ahead and will make a significant difference in the lives of many who join our ranks.