Heart patients are being provided with special fitness programmes at leisure centres around Oxfordshire.

Almost 300 people are taking part in classes, which are part of a new £200,000 rehabilitation programme organised by nurses at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

As well as keep fit classes at Windrush Leisure Centre in Witney, Wantage Leisure Centre and Abbey Sports Centre in Berinsfield, patients are given individual care packages to prevent further health problems, group support and advice.

Instructor Andy Glover

Jenny Welstand, senior cardiac rehabilitation nurse, said: "We help people following heart attacks, before and after cardiac surgery, and throughout cardiology treatment.

"We assess them and see what their needs are and then we deliver them a package of care, for example helping them give up smoking or teaching them about their diet.

"We get them into the exercise routine, as well as one-on-one consultations and group education sessions, where they can meet other people in the same position as them."

The community-based programme is helping people aged from 50 to 90, and replaces more clinical rehabilitation which takes place at the JR.

Between 300 and 400 people in Oxfordshire have heart attacks each year.

"The new scheme is intended to ensure that very few of them have to return to the JR after initial treatment.

All the leisure centres taking part have given their facilities free of charge, including a qualified sports instructor who has to pass a £500 training course before taking the special classes.

The rehabilitation department has been promised funding to continue the scheme every year.

Ms Welstand said: "Many of our patients will get into the classes and then carry on with life-long fitness.

"It's fantastic that we have been given funding.

"We can tailor our programmes to individual needs as a result.

She is now hoping to start a fifth rehabilitation venue in Oxford and is in talks with Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre.