Heart failure is a major health problem affecting approximately one million people in the UK. In England, 80% of heart failure diagnoses are made in hospital following an emergency admission, despite 40% of these individuals having signs and symptoms that could have triggered an earlier assessment in primary care. Rates of early diagnosis remain low, occurring two years after the first symptoms present on average. 32% of heart failure patients are initially misdiagnosed.
Regional inequalities in heart failure diagnosis mean people of lower socio-economic background are more likely to die from more severe instances of heart failure, with mean survival rates after a diagnosis shorter in areas with higher deprivation. Patients diagnosed following a hospital admission have a 28% higher risk of death within 24 months than people diagnosed via a community pathway. Across the NHS heart failure accounts for approximately 100,000 admissions a year and around one million inpatient days. Improved management of heart failure is estimated to save around 11,844 bed days, £4.15m and prevent 942 premature deaths.
Our vision is to improve outcomes (increase quality of life, reduce admissions and re-admissions and improve prognosis) for people living with the through supporting pathway transformation and clinical service redesign using innovative diagnostic tools, pharmacological interventions and remote monitoring solutions.
We are currently working in collaboration with Astra Zeneca (donated goods and services) and HIOW ICB to map the ‘current state’ of heart failure services across the geography and develop an aspirational ‘future state’ blueprint designed to improve three key areas; referral and triage, access to diagnostics and treatment optimisation. Where possible we will support the implementation of agreed changes. The project has involved 4 face to face workshops (Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Southampton and mid/north Hampshire), 3 task and finish groups and will conclude with a final face to face event in November once the final report has been published.
