History

The Cardiac Club was formed in 1991 by Dr. K.E. Birkin, former consultant at the Wharfedale Hospital together with a small group of heart patients keen to keep in touch, after completing the Hospital rehab course. They wanted to continue with their regular exercise routines and to exchange information.

They were encouraged by Hospital staff and offered accommodation in the physiotherapy area at Otley Wharfedale General Hospital to set up and run their own group. Initially there was only a handful of active members and by 1994 only a dozen attended the once weekly session.

Hospital staff (ward sisters and Dr Birkin) also came along, so there was always at least one staff member present. Numbers have since steadily built up, with patients being referred by local G.P.’s, consultants and the cardiac liaison network.

The support of the Leeds and Bradford Hospital Trusts continues to this day. Many of our members were previously patients at Leeds General, St James'’s, Bradford Royal, or Airedale General Hospitals. Click on the appropriate logos and pictures to see more of the work of these hospitals.