Twin Sisters Battle Heart Failure and Demand Equality in Treatment Access

In a shocking revelation, twin sisters dealing with heart failure are igniting a call for change, drawing attention to the glaring disparity in healthcare services based on geographic location. Nicole and Farrah, who live just 32 miles apart in Northern Ireland but fall under different health trusts, have found their treatment options radically different, prompting them to advocate for an end to what they describe as a postcode lottery in healthcare.

While Nicole enjoys the life-changing benefits of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation, Farrah feels abandoned and frustrated after being discharged eight months post-diagnosis without any rehab support. “I feel jealous, angry, upset, and scared,” she shared with BBC News NI, reflecting the emotional turmoil stemming from a lack of equal access to crucial medical care that her sister receives.

Living with acute heart failure, a serious condition where the heart struggles to pump blood effectively, the twins share many similarities in their lives—but their treatment stories diverge sharply. Nicole's journey began with a diagnosis in January last year after a lengthy search for answers to her breathlessness. The diagnosis left her 'petrified,' realizing the gravity of her condition. Farrah followed with her own diagnosis just a few months later, but her journey has been clouded by lack of adequate care.

Nicole has benefited from cardiac rehab sessions that not only include supervised exercise but also valuable insights into managing her condition holistically. "It has given me my life back and my confidence back,” she exclaims. In stark contrast, Farrah has no such support system and feels lost in her journey. "I’m scared to go to sleep in case I don’t wake up,” she admits, underscoring the severe anxiety that accompanies inadequate treatment.

The twins are not alone in this struggle; they highlight the varying criteria established by the health trusts that govern access to vital cardiac rehabilitation. For instance, trusts like the Southern and South Eastern offer rehabilitation to all heart failure patients. In contrast, the Northern Trust severely restricts access, providing services only to those who have experienced specific medical events, like ischaemic episodes.

Even for the health trusts that offer some level of rehabilitation, patients can find themselves at the mercy of administrative protocols. The Western Trust does cater to heart failure patients post-heart attack but limits access for others to individual assessments, leaving many like Farrah without the support they desperately need. The Belfast Trust also restricts rehabilitation based on the circumstances surrounding heart failure, further creating barriers for many patients.

In a desperate bid for consistency and fairness, Nicole and Farrah are advocating for increased awareness of heart failure symptoms and greater investment in rehabilitation services. They emphasize the need for continuity of care—patients should not be left to navigate their health without support or a comprehensive plan tailored to their needs.

The Department of Health acknowledges the challenges faced in delivering equitable access to cardiac rehabilitation. They have committed to consulting with key stakeholders across trusts to uncover the gaps in service provision and to formulate sustainable solutions moving forward.

As this story unfolds, experts remind us that disparities in healthcare access are not just numbers but stories of individuals like Nicole and Farrah, whose lives hinge on the availability of critical care. The push for reform continues, sparking conversations about how to ensure all patients receive the treatment they need—regardless of their postal code.