Resuscitation Council UK has launched a new report highlighting gaps in recovery support for people who survive a cardiac arrest.
The report, The Weakest Link: Recovery after cardiac arrest, examines variations in follow-up care after hospital discharge and calls for more consistent support for survivors across the UK.
Each year around 40,000 people in the UK experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest where resuscitation is attempted. Fewer than one in ten survive to leave hospital, and many of those who do experience ongoing physical, cognitive or psychological challenges during recovery.
The report calls on governments across the four nations to adopt RCUK’s Survivor Quality Standard within national cardiac strategies, with the aim of improving consistency in post-hospital care and recovery services.
Adam Benson Clarke, Clinical Director at Resuscitation Council UK, said: “Survivors and their families often face invisible struggles long after discharge, and they deserve better. Recovery should not depend on where you live or how hard you push for support. With the right standards in place, we can make equitable, compassionate recovery care a reality across the UK.”
Read the Survivor Quality Standards