South Scotland MSP Emma Harper met with members of the Hale & Hearty Group, who shared their concerns about the potential for losing their Gym as part of the sale of the Crichton Hall.
Members of the group, which is chaired by John Teesdale, and linked with Chest Heart Stroke Scotland, expressed their worry that the gym they use for their extremely important cardiac rehabilitation – as well as their social gathering space – may not be available for them to use during or following the sale of Crichton Hall, which was put on the market recently.
Members told Emma of their concerns that they have not been communicated with clearly from NHS Dumfries and Galloway about the future provision for accommodating them in an appropriate place. Hale and Hearty have indicated that they were told that they will be required to attend DGOne facility. They are worried that this would mean too many people sharing the same facilities, with too much noise and competition for equipment would be a foreseeable problem.
The 25 members meet at the Crichton Gym each Monday and Wednesday at 7pm and participate in Thai Chi, treadmills, bicycles and light weights as well as floor aerobic exercise. One member, whose 86th birthday was on the day of Emma’s visit, expressed concerns about future provision for herself and her friends in the group.
Emma participated in the exercise class, joining in the aerobics and Thai Chi. She took to the opportunity to speak with the members about their health journey and the positive contribution that meeting people and group exercise has on their health and rehabilitation following heart and other cardiac related surgery.
Commenting Emma said “The Hale and Hearty Group have been attending the Cardiac Rehab Gym at Crichton Hall for many years. The participation in Cardiac rehabilitation, in the short term and over the longer period will help everyone to achieve their goal which is to remain as fit and healthy as possible so that they can remain at home and independently as long possible.
“I have written to NHS Chief Executive Jeff Ace to ask for an update on what the proposals are for groups such as Hale and Hearty who use the current Gym facility at the Crichton Hall. I am seeking assurance that the Hale and Hearty Group, and others who use the Gym, will be supported and receive timely correspondence regarding the use of the facilities and the future plans so that their group can continue.
“This is about supporting people to remain independently in their communities and in their homes, for a long as possible as well as having a safe place to continue exercise and socialise with their friends.
Emma can be contacted by email on [email protected] or alternatively you can call her Dumfries high street office on 01387 255334.
