Cardiac arrest survivors face ‘postcode lottery’ in aftercare

Published by Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK), the report warns that many survivors are being left without the structured recovery support they need.

RCUK says significant gaps in follow-up care mean too many patients are left to navigate complex emotional, physical and cognitive recovery without proper assistance.

Adam Benson Clarke, clinical director at RCUK, 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.”

The report, The Weakest Link: Recovery after cardiac arrest, highlights ‘stark inconsistencies’ in aftercare and shares personal testimonies that underline the challenges survivors face.

While stroke and heart attack patients typically receive coordinated rehabilitation, cardiac arrest survivors frequently experience a lack of structured support once they return home.

Each year, about 40,000 people in the UK experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest where resuscitation is attempted, but fewer than one in 10 survive to hospital discharge.

Of those who do, many face ‘persistent fatigue, cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress’, according to the report.

RCUK is calling on governments across the UK to adopt its Survivor Quality Standard, which outlines expectations for consistent, high-quality care.

Survivors featured in the report spoke of feeling ‘lost’ and ‘abandoned’ after leaving hospital, with no guidance or support to help them recover.

A recent RCUK survey found 93 per cent of people believe cardiac arrest survivors should receive the same level of aftercare as those recovering from a heart attack or stroke.

Ruth Cadbury, MP for Brentford and Isleworth, backed the call for change.

Ms Cadbury said: “This paper rightly highlights the urgent need for consistent, survivor-centred personalised care following cardiac arrest.

“Survival is only the first step – recovery must be supported through equitable, multidisciplinary services that reflect the complex needs of survivors and their families.

“The powerful accounts and case studies in this paper make clear why the Survivor Quality Standard must be adopted, and I welcome it as a vital framework to improve outcomes and reduce resuscitation inequalities across the UK.”