Surgery school eases heart operation anxieties
An education programme at Barts Heart Centre is helping people preparing for heart surgery feel calmer, better informed and more confident about their recovery.
The monthly Cardiac Surgery School, held at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, brings together patients, their families and the full clinical team involved in their care. The voluntary sessions give people waiting for heart surgery the chance to meet surgeons, anaesthetists, intensive care nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians and ward staff, all in one place.
The aim is to replace the patchy or confusing information many patients receive with a clear, step-by-step explanation of what to expect. Much like antenatal classes, the sessions are designed to make a daunting life event feel more familiar and manageable. Patients are encouraged to ask questions and meet others going through the same experience.
People arrive with a wide range of concerns, from worries about the operation itself to practical questions such as parking or visiting times. Staff say these everyday concerns often sit alongside deeper anxieties. By the end of the afternoon, however, they see a clear shift. Patients report feeling noticeably calmer, saying that understanding what lies ahead makes a huge difference.
A short break with healthy refreshments is built into the session to give people time to talk informally. The team says this often provides extra reassurance, as patients hear directly from others facing the same surgery.
Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. One patient said the session "made everything feel much less scary", while another said that sharing the experience with others helped them feel less alone. Others said that meeting the staff who would be caring for them made the process feel far less frightening.
Helping patients take control of recovery
The sessions also encourage people to take an active role in their recovery. Before surgery, patients are guided on gentle exercise, breathing techniques and how to prepare both physically and emotionally. After surgery, the focus shifts to early movement, good nutrition and gradually regaining independence.
It's all part of a wider NHS shift in how patients are prepared for surgery, helping to reduce avoidable complications and support faster recovery and discharge.
As the programme nears its 200th participant, early results are promising. Patients who attend the sessions report roughly 50% lower pre-operative anxiety. There are also encouraging early signals of fewer post-operative complications, including delirium and wound problems.
With a diverse patient population, the team is focused on equitable access, including reducing practical barriers, so all patients can benefit from the preparation and support the programme offers. As the cohort grows, further data, including length of stay, will help demonstrate the programme’s wider impact.
The sessions were initially run through the enthusiasm and goodwill of clinical staff, alongside their usual duties. They are now supported by a Barts Charity grant, helping the team expand the programme and strengthen evaluation.
"Cardiac Surgery School is all about helping patients and their loved ones know what to expect," said Dr Gabriela Nerone, consultant anaesthetist at Barts Heart Centre. "We cover small daily actions that reduce the risk of complications, guide them through each step of their hospital stay, and explain how they can take an active role in their recovery, almost like coaching someone through a challenging experience.
"We believe this kind of preparation should be available to all patients having heart surgery.
The programme was developed by Gabriela (centre) alongside colleagues Dr Francis Ryckaert (right), consultant anaesthetist, and Ms Joy Edlin (left), consultant cardiac surgeon. It has since been shared at national cardiac conferences and is attracting growing interest from hospitals across the UK.
Own it and push yourself
Neil, a 53‑year‑old charity professional from Surrey (pictured above with wife Laura), discovered last year that he needed a triple heart bypass after a CT scan picked up a problem linked to his family history. Once surgery was confirmed, he was offered the chance to attend Cardiac Surgery School, and says he was "absolutely" keen to learn more. Coming in, as he puts it, from a "total standing start," he found the sessions clear, reassuring and hugely helpful, with staff from across the hospital explaining exactly what to expect.
Before attending, Neil says he would have tried to be the "good patient", not wanting to make a fuss. Surgery School completely changed that mindset. He realised that his recovery depended on his actions. "This is your recovery, you have to own it and push yourself," he says. That message stuck.
When he woke up from his operation, he knew he needed to get moving straight away, and with his nurse and Laura beside him, he got himself out of bed and into the chair, just as he’d been taught. From then on, Neil focused on doing a little more each day, believing firmly in the power of movement. He had surgery on a Wednesday morning and was home by Sunday, just four nights later. After six to eight weeks he felt "pretty normal," and by twelve weeks he felt better than he had in years. His wife also found Surgery School invaluable in understanding how to support him.
For Neil, the course was transformative: "You’ve got to play your own part, and Surgery School showed me exactly how to do that."
The best thing I’ve ever done
Lesley from Romford was invited to cardiac surgery school ahead of her operation to replace her mitral heart valve.
She said: "I’d never done anything like prehabilitation before, and when they told me about the cardiac surgery school, I grabbed it with open arms. To be honest, I was absolutely full of fear. I had no idea what was going to happen to me, and I was really stressing about it. Everything just felt overwhelming. But the moment I walked into the session and saw the team, I relaxed. They explained everything in such simple, clear, layman’s terms. I’d had no idea about intensive care or the stages of the surgery, but suddenly it all made sense. It was so slick, from the anaesthetists to Joy, my surgeon, and what she said really resonated. I’ll never forget it.
"She told us, ‘We only deal with your heart, there’s nothing wrong with your limbs. Use your limbs to help repair your heart.’ That line was so apt for what was happening to me. As someone who came in not knowing a thing, it was amazing. I went with a friend, and the two hours just flew by. The Q&A afterwards helped so much. Honestly, attending that session was the best thing I’ve ever done.
"I had my procedure on 16 January. I stayed in hospital on the Wednesday, had the surgery on the Thursday, and I was out a week later. They even wanted me home by the Monday, but I had a couple of complications which meant I stayed in a little bit longer. I’m 71 and retired now, but I used to do cleaning jobs and I’m excited to get back to that routine. I just do as I’m told — I need clear direction — and the team gave me exactly that.
"Would I recommend the surgery school? Definitely. One hundred and fifty percent."
Read more