Patients angry over the planned closure of London’s Cardiac Fitness Institute (CFI) took their fight to save the 37-year-old program to MPP Deb Matthews' constituency office Thursday.
Holding signs that read "Have A Heart", "Save CFI", and "CFI Saves $", individuals with the group shared personal stories about how the program at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) saved their lives.
Among them was Acey Wahby, who has been going to the fitness institute since having a cardiac episode 30 years ago.
"These people at CFI have looked after me well," said Wahby. "I am fighting mad because they are closing and I want them to stay open."
Acey Wahby has been a CFI patient for 30 years
The 92-year-old said the program not only saves lives but improves the quality of life for its patients. He called the plan to shutter it a "grave mistake."
"The events that have taken place over the last several months have been terribly disheartening. These events clearly indicate a lack of effective problem solving, leadership on the part of the current hospital administration at the London Health Science Centre," said Wahby.
The institute opened in 1981 and currently provides on-going counselling about proper nutrition, medication, and exercise to around 1,400 people with heart problems. Patients have access to annual stress tests and an exercise room filled with equipment. But the LHSC stated the program falls outside of its mandate and it can no longer afford the $150,000 annually it chips in toward the service.
In December, patients were informed CFI would be closed in the spring. New patients would then be referred to the ministry-funded Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention (CRSP) program at St. Joseph’s Health Care – a program that only lasts for six months.
"When you have coronary heart disease it doesn't go away. It is a chronic disease and you have to maintain your risk factors," said Ross Bishop, a kinesiologist who helped design the program with Head Cardiologist Dr. Larry Patrick in 1981. "So this idea of six months and you receive a graduation certificate and you slap it on your kitchen wall and think that you are off to the races, you are just starting at six months."
Bishop began relying on the institute's services in 2009 after he began having chest pains that required a coronary stent.
"I go in for my annual stress tests. They give me my exercise prescription, they look over my blood tests, my cholesterol levels, and make sure they are right," said Bishop. "We are hoping almost for a miracle now. The hospital says they are going to lock the doors on April 27 [when Dr. Patrick retires]. Some bureaucrat somewhere needs to get with the program and help us."
The rally at Matthews' office is the latest one to be planned by Save CFI, the London Health Coalition, and the Council of Canadians.
"The research says that people that have cardiac rehab greater than three years are 60% more likely to be alive after 14 years," said Jeff Hanks, co-chair of the London Health Coalition. "So when this program is closed all of these people will have nothing. When you only have a six-month program the death rates surge. It just makes sense to keep this program."
Those in favour of keeping the institute argue it saves the health care system money by preventing costly cardiac emergencies and surgeries.
"If they keep this program it costs a pittance and it actually saves millions of dollars in the long run," said Hanks.
Matthews, who was not at her office on Piccadilly St. at the time of the rally, agreed cardiac patients need physical fitness follow up care. But in a written statement she said the CFI's services are not in line with the LHSCs mandate as an acute care hospital.
“LHSC does not receive provincial funding to operate this program. In London, provincially-funded services for patients who have suffered cardiac illnesses are offered for up to six months of post-event therapy and counselling services which is the provincial standard," said Matthews. "All involved are working hard to ensure a seamless transition for patients. I’m confident that patients in our community will continue to receive quality rehabilitation and cardiac care through the program at St. Joseph’s Health Care London.”
Another CFI rally is being planned for 2pm Tuesday outside of Victoria Hospital's Commissioners Rd. entrance.