A national first scheme to improve care for people with heart failure is being launched in Southwark and Lambeth, David Child writes.
The new service, led by King’s Health Partners, will see dedicated heart failure teams deployed across the boroughs. It is hoped that the project will save more than 80 lives a year.
The project is being funded by a £1.5 million grant from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity. Up to 3,000 bed days may be saved through the programme by reducing hospital admissions and re-admissions of patients with heart failure.
Dr Gerry Carr-White, consultant cardiologist at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “This exciting initiative will mean we can enhance the services provided by GPs to patients with heart failure to improve their diagnosis and treatment, which should ultimately save lives.”
Teams will include a named doctor, nurse and pharmacist, who will provide day-to-day advice to local medical services. They will also run education sessions and ‘virtual clinics’ in GP practices in order to help GPs make the best decisions for their patients with heart failure.
Heart failure is a leading cause of death in Lambeth and Southwark. Up to 9,000 people are estimated to have the condition across the two boroughs.
For more info visit: www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/community-heart-failure/overview.aspx.