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BIG HELP: Calls to the Heart Helpline have surged by 10 per cent compared to last year, with nurses now answering up to 400 calls weekly (Image: British Heart Foundation)
British Heart Foundation’s vital Heart Helpline now has a freephone number for the first time in its 20-year history, thanks to fundraising by Royal Mail. This comes as calls to the helpline have risen by 10 per cent, with BHF’s Cardiac Nurses taking around 400 calls a week to help support heart patients.
The Heart Helpline is a service where heart patients can call and speak to experienced cardiac nurses about their condition and concerns. Operating five days a week, the helpline offers expert information and support on heart and circulatory diseases, catering to around 80 callers per day.
The transition to a freephone number means that those seeking the aid of skilled cardiac nurses won’t bear the burden of charges, making essential heart health information and counsel more accessible than ever before. Maureen Talbot, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the BHF shared that the freephone number is a milestone celebration for the BHF.
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She said: “It’s now easier than ever for someone to ring us for information and support and they can speak to one of our dedicated and experienced cardiac nurses. This has never been more needed as hundreds of thousands of people face record long waits for vital heart care.
“For over 20 years, we have been helping hundreds of thousands of people process a new diagnosis, understand clinical jargon or been a shoulder to cry on. We’re so grateful to Royal Mail for helping us make our brilliant service even more accessible to support countless more patients and their families.”
Greg Sage, Deputy Director Corporate Affairs & ESG, Royal Mail said: “Royal Mail staff have pushed themselves through physical challenges such as the London Marathon, BHF’s London to Brighton Bike Ride and generously donated through Payroll Giving and worked hard on initiatives to raise money for BHF. It’s a proud achievement for us to have enabled the Heart Helpline to be moved to a freephone number and we’re looking forward to seeing what other impact our partnership with BHF can have.”
With approximately 7.6 million people in the UK grappling with heart or circulatory diseases, the BHF and Royal Mail partnership holds immense importance. This collaborative effort, set to continue until 2026, aims to safeguard heart health and save lives across communities.
The accomplishment achieved through Royal Mail’s fundraising initiatives will significantly benefit the 1,600 monthly callers seeking expert guidance through the Heart Helpline. You can contact the Heart Helpline for free on: 0808 802 1234 or visit www. bhf.org.uk /informationsupport/heart—helpline.
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