PATIENTS in Lancashire still face a postcode lottery of care after suffering a heart attack or heart operation, according to the British Heart Foundation.

Findings by BHF reveal that just 2,940 out of 5,508 heart patients who need cardiac rehabilitation in Lancashire and Cumbria have access to it.

Campaigners say funding is a key issue - the schemes which do exist are part-funded by either the BHF or the Big Lottery Fund - and the Government is being accused of withdrawing support for the latter.

But these claims are refuted by East Lancashire Primary Care Trust (PCT), which covers Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale and the Ribble Valley, and Blackburn with Darwen PCT.

Both offer rehab work, unlike other health authorities, which believe they delivers an exceptional service.

Cardiac rehabilitation lasts around 12 weeks and involves working with patients to provide ongoing advice and support on improving lifestyle and diet, structured exercise programmes and counselling.

With rehabilitation the BHF claims there is a 26 per cent greater chance of surviving in the five years following their diagnosis.

Frank Holden, 72, from Darwen has had three heart attacks and in 2001, underwent a quindruple bypass.

He was one of the first people to undertake cardiac rehabilitation in the area 11 years ago. He supports the rehabilitation scheme but is worried about the future of it in Blackburn with Darwen.

He said: "I was the first patient to start at the programme in Darwen in 1996 after having my first heart attack in December 1995.

"At first there was little equipment, so we did a circuit-training type workout, then we got a slot in a proper gym and were taught how to use the machinery.

"It was a real social club in those days. We had a real laugh and we got a lot of attention from the staff who kept coming round to check we were okay.

"A nurse also used to pop in on the first Monday of every month to chat to us, and sometimes wed have a sit-down conversation with her after the session.

"Now the nurse doesn't come anymore and we get less attention from the staff. It's not what it used to be and I think it might be down to funding.

"In December 2000 I had my third heart attack when I was at the gym in Darwen and the girl there was absolutely superb.

"Sometimes I wonder if that would happen now with the cuts that seem to have been taking place."

The BHF claims many people are needlessly dying prematurely as a result of not being able to access this treatment and the Healthcare Commission has dubbed cardiac rehabilitation a Cinderella' service, poorly funded and poorly organised, denying access to patients in need.

An East Lancashire PCT spokesman said: "We suspect the British Heart Foundation figures are only looking at the exercise aspect of rehabilitation and unfortunately the figures are painted for a big area with a big brush.

"We have a robust and proactive rehab scheme provided by experienced professionals and in addition we have a lot of prevention rather than cure' initiatives such as healthy eating and healthy lifestyles.

"The main thing is not just to put people through rehab but to ensure people carry on doing exercise and improve their lifestyle on a long term basis."

Statistics provided by Royal Blackburn Hospital's Cardiac Rehabilitation Service for the latest three-month period show that 269 people from across East Lancashire were referred for cardiac rehabilitation.