NCH&C Cardiac Rehab Team honoured with national award for outstanding heart failure support
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Team based at Dereham Hospital, has been named one of the winners of the prestigious 'You're Simply Marvellous Award 2025' by the Pumping Marvellous Foundation (PMF) - the UK's leading patient-led heart failure charity.
The team was nominated by a grateful patient, who attended their group cardiac rehab sessions in Aylsham, credited the service with a life-changing impact following an unexpected heart attack and the fitting of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in the spring of last year. The patient praised not only the clinical care but also the emotional support extended to their family throughout recovery.
The cardiac rehab team for North Norfolk and Aylsham was life-changing for me, the patient shared via the Pumping Marvellous national community. And more importantly, for my family members who came with me this year. Their support helped us all.
This national recognition is no small feat - only six teams across the UK received the award in 2025.
Emma Shipton-Smith, Cardiac Rehab Service Coordinator, expressed her pride:
Huge congratulations to our fantastic team - this is totally deserved.
Allison Coxon, Pathway Lead for Long Term Conditions and Specialist Nursing, echoed the sentiment:
Fantastic news for our cardiac rehab team.
Julie Rodgers, Joint Cardiac Rehabilitation Team Lead, added:
We were very proud to receive this award, especially as only six were awarded in the country.
The 'You're Simply Marvellous Award' celebrates healthcare professionals and teams who go above and beyond in supporting heart failure patients and their families. For the team based at Dereham Hospital, this recognition affirms the vital role they play in patient recovery and overall quality of life.
Cardiac rehabilitation supports people affected by heart disease to regain and maintain good physical and psychological health. The service is designed for, those who have experienced a myocardial infarction (heart attack), undergone revascularisation procedures such as angioplasty or stenting, or had cardiac surgery
Delivered by a dedicated multidisciplinary team, the service offers an intensive 9-week programme focused on recovery, education, and prevention of further cardiac events.
