Date published: 8 October 2026
A year on from suffering a major heart attack, Wychavon leader Cllr Richard Morris has helped bring cardiac rehabilitation services closer to home for people across the district.
The new programme includes NHS-led rehabilitation and follow-on exercise sessions at Droitwich Spa and Pershore leisure centres, building on support already available in Evesham.
Cllr Morris was inspired to improve local access to rehabilitation care after collapsing in his kitchen on 3 October last year. He was found by his brother, who started CPR before paramedics arrived and rushed Cllr Morris to hospital.
His recovery involved learning to trust his body again while his heart healed, including doing everyday tasks people take for granted like climbing stairs, carrying shopping and long walks.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Cllr Morris said his experience made him want to improve support for others facing the same challenges.
“A year ago, my life changed dramatically. Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to be here and to have recovered as well as I have. The medical team who looked after me were amazing and the support I have had along the way has been fantastic,” he said.
“One of the biggest lessons for me has been to look forward and give thanks to everything and everyone around you. Walking has continued to be really important. It's something simple but it can make such a difference, both physically and mentally.”
Pictured: Nigel Grundy, Managing Director of Rivers Fitness, Holly Johnson, Operations Manager for the Droitwich, Ombersley & The Rurals PCN, Josceline Williams, Lead Advanced Practitioner for Droitwich, Ombersley & The Rurals, Lisa MacAllister, Cardiac Rehabilitation Fitness Instructor,Cllr Richad Morris, Leader of Wychavon and Sally Baker, Lead Cardiac Rehab Clinical Nurse Specialist, Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
After leaving hospital, Cllr Morris brought together a small group including Rivers Fitness, the Worcestershire NHS cardiac rehabilitation team, primary care staff and public health specialists to explore how more support could be provided locally.
As a result, Wychavon is funding Phase 4 cardiac rehabilitation sessions every Wednesday from 12pm to 1pm at Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre and from 2pm to 3pm at Pershore Leisure Centre. Run by qualified instructors, they focus on guided exercise to build on gains made during the previous phases.
Rivers Fitness has also agreed to host a Phase 3 session at Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre in addition to the one already running in Evesham. Funded and run by the NHS, patients will be referred to these sessions following a heart attack, cardiac event or surgery. They focus on medically supervised recovery and education, helping people safely rebuild their strength and confidence.
The sessions are only the start of the local support Cllr Morris hopes to build, with plans for more work around heart health, exercise and prevention, as well as creating a local support group.
Cllr Morris added: “I’m grateful to everyone who has supported the creation of these sessions, particularly the Worcestershire cardiac rehab team and Rivers Fitness. It shows what can be achieved by working together. My aim now is to continue supporting the recovery of others and hopefully helping more people look after their hearts, so they won’t have to go through what I did.”