Heart nursing and cardiology

We are a multidisciplinary team specialising in assessment, care planning, treatment, rehabilitation and education of adults with confirmed diagnosis of heart failure along with their families and carers. We also offer cardiac rehabilitation for patients with cardiac conditions such as acute coronary syndrome; stable heart failure; stable angina; following heart surgery.

Our aim is to provide evidence-based treatment, to improve the quality of life of our patients and to prevent unnecessary GP or hospital attendances. We maintain effective communication with GPs and Hospital Cardiologists, keeping them up to date on any treatment decisions regarding patient care. Our team consists of specialist nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapist and rehabilitation assistants.

What we offer:

• Assessment and individually tailored management plan
• Specialist heart failure input
• Optimisation of medical therapy
• Facilitation of behavioural change and health promotion to reduce cardio-vascular risk factors
• Cardiac rehabilitation (exercise & education)
• Home exercise programmes
• Advice on techniques to help symptom management
• Advice on how to manage activities of daily living
• Screening, treatment and sign posting for psychological health
• Smoking cessation referral and support

Patient contact phone number: 0333 241 4242

Referrals are accepted from a range of sources including GPs, community services, London Ambulance Service, nursing homes, residential care homes, carers, 111, GP out-of-hours services and acute staff. The service also accepts self-referrals for those already known to the service.

• Phone: 0333 004 7555
• Email: clcht.mertonspa@nhs.net
• eFax: 0300 008 2122

Inclusion criteria for heart failure care

• Over 18 years of age and registered with a Merton GP
• A confirmed diagnosis of heart failure with ECHO

Inclusion criteria for cardiac rehabilitation

• Over 18 years of age and registered with a Merton GP
• Acute coronary syndrome
• Following revascularisation
• Stable heart failure
• Stable angina
• Following implantation of cardiac defibrillators and resynchronisation devices
• Heart valve repair/replacement
• Heart transplantation and ventricular assist devices
• Grown-up congenital heart disease (GUCH)
• Cardiomyopathies
• Other atherosclerotic diseases, e.g. peripheral arterial disease, transient ischaemic attac

Exclusion criteria for heart failure care

• Patients with an unconfirmed diagnosis of heart failure

Patients can be seen in a range of settings including their own homes, clinics, GP practices, Nelson Health Centre, Birches Polyclinic or at the Wimbledon Leisure Centre.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Locations

• Nelson Health Centre, Kingston Road, London SW20 8DA
• Birches Polyclinic, 4 Birches Cl, Mitcham CR4 4LQ
• Wimbledon Leisure Centre, Latimer Road, Wimbledon SW19 1EW

Our heart nursing service offer specialist support, including:

• Monitor physical status and implement an agree management plan
• Providing advice on evidence based to support care.
• Optimising and titration of cardiac medicine to improve cardiac function.
• Education to patients and carers about living with a diagnosis of heart failure
• Lifestyle and better health care advice

Contact details

• Phone (patient line): 0333 300 0950
• Email: clcht.wandsworthspa@nhs.net

Who can refer:

• GP/practice nurse
• Any other healthcare professional
• Self-referral (if known to the service within the last three months)

Our heart nurse service requires standard patient and referrer information, including NHS number, contact and address details. We also require the following information:

• Echocardiogram report attached
• Recent blood test results (within three months)
• Current prescribed medication list.
• Any relevant medical notes and information about other medical conditions
• Reason for referral

Contact details

• Phone: 0333 300 2350
• Email: clcht.wandsworthspa@nhs.net

Inclusion

This service is for patients:

• Who are aged 18 and over
• Who are registered with a GP within the NHS Wandsworth CCG area
• Who has a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure requiring specialist monitoring and symptom control
• Who agree to the referral

Exclusion

• No objective evidence to confirm heart failure diagnosis

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Clinics run at the following locations

• Bridge Lane Group Practice - 20 Bridge Ln, London SW11 3AD

• Greyswood Practice - 66 Eastwood St, London SW16 6PX

• Tudor Lodge Health Centre - 8C Victoria Dr, London SW19 6AE

Yes.

The Community Cardiac Rehabilitation Service (West Hertfordshire) provides a comprehensive package of care to patients with coronary heart disease and heart failure. It supports people to confidently return to their chosen lifestyle and activities and reduce their risk factors for a further cardiac event.

The service uses medical evaluation, prescribed exercise programmes, health information sessions and emotional and psychological support to make lifestyle changes to achieve on-going health and wellbeing.

The cardiac rehabilitation programme is run by a specialist multidisciplinary team comprised of a dietitian, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and exercise instructors. We offer support tailored to the needs of the individual to come to terms with their cardiac condition and improve their cardiac health.

Evidence shows that attending a Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme leads to an overall improvement in health by reducing the risk factors for heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.

Patients who have attended the programme say they feel more informed and motivated to make lifestyle changes leading to an improved quality of life, often feeling ‘better than before’.

Before starting the nine week group programme patients have an individual initial assessment with a cardiac rehabilitation clinician to discuss their progress and concerns and to develop a personal health plan, including goals, for the programme.

We aim to make the programme as relaxed and enjoyable as possible while making steps towards rebuilding confidence and adopting or maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

West Hertfordshire

Patients are referred from Watford General Hospital or tertiary hospitals following a cardiac event. Patients with heart failure are referred through Cardiology Consultants and Heart Failure Specialist Nurses.

If a GP wishes to make a referral a letter would be required with the reason for referral and an updated summary of the patient’s condition and medical history. This would include their most recent hospital discharge summary and an echocardiogram report if available. Referrals would need to be within one year of the cardiac event.

• Phone: 03000 200 656
• Referral email: CLCHT.westherts.communitycardiology@nhs.net