We’ve been announced as one of the AF Association Healthcare Pioneers Report 2019 – Showcasing Best Practice in AF winners for our project “A collaborative approach to AF screening and rapid resolution” at the All Party Parliamentary Group on Atrial Fibrillation meeting held on 21 November 2018 in the Palace of Westminster, London.

Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder and CEO of AF Association congratulated the 2019 winners stating “The AF Association Healthcare Pioneers Report 2019 demonstrates truly innovative best practice covering identification, diagnosis, management, treatment and care of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), which we summarise as Detect, Protect, Correct and Perfect. Each year we share the Report with Commissioners and healthcare professionals across the NHS plus policy makers and MPs urging them to use these case studies as a benchmark to drive improvement in processes and patient pathways for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of AF patients.”

“This years’ entries were once again of a very high standard demonstrating the ongoing innovative work aimed at improving the lives of AF patients. I would like to thank everyone who entered, and especially commend those chosen as this year’s AF Association Healthcare Pioneers Report 2019 winners.”

The Report was released during the AF Association Global AF Aware Week which aims to raise awareness worldwide of atrial fibrillation.  This year the focus is on promoting ‘Know Your Pulse to Know Your Heart Rhythm.’  Knowing your pulse can save your life, it is the easiest way to detect an arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm). If your resting heart rate is irregular, too fast, or too slow, it is possible that you have an undiagnosed arrhythmia.

Our innovative One Stop Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Pathway finds people with undiagnosed AF, reduces the number of appointments needed to confirm diagnosis and waiting times for treatment. It utilises the accessibility of community pharmacists to identify people with undiagnosed AF, directly refer for specialist review, and if required, invite for an appointment at a one-stop AF clinic, substantially reducing the number of appointments and time needed to confirm diagnosis to receiving treatment, from 3 months to 2 weeks. It also demonstrates how public access to screening services and subsequent patient experience can be improved by delivering these interventions using digital innovation.

John Craig, Chief Executive commented “We are delighted to have our hard work recognised by the AFA Association. Working together with AliveCor, North East London Pharmaceutical Committee, First Care Connection, Barts Health NHS Trust, Waltham Forest CCG and Sonar Informatics, we have developed a pathway that benefits not just patients, but GP’s and community pharmacists, relieving pressure on workloads and expanding skills. The BHR Provider Alliance has also now committed to rolling this pathway out across Barking, Havering and Redbridge over 2019.”

For more information on AF Association visit: www.afa.org.uk

Media resources

• To read the Healthcare Pioneers 2019 Report and view the list of winners visit http://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/afa/uk/healthcare-pioneers-2019
• For more information on AF Association Global AF Aware Week, visit http://www.heartrhythmalliance.org/afa/uk/af-aware-week

Notes to editors

• AF Association provides support, information and guidance to anyone affected by atrial fibrillation. It works in partnership with patients and clinical experts to advance the education of both the medical profession and the general public on the risks, detection and treatment of AF.
• The AF Association Healthcare Pioneers Report identifies best practice in the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and is used as a benchmark across the world to improve on how services are delivered.
• Care City is a Healthy Ageing Innovation Centre that has been created by local health and social care partners to deliver measurable improvements in health for the population we serve and to act as a catalyst for regenerating one of London’s most deprived regions. Central to our work is a commitment to work in partnership with the local community to ensure that the research, innovation and education we deliver is driven by their needs.
• AliveCor is marketed as the first mobile heart monitor which can allow individuals to detect, monitor and manage heart arrhythmias with automatic analysis. This device can capture electrocardiogram recordings of the heart anytime, anywhere producing instant feedback. It has the potential to transform diagnostic pathways particularly for sufferers of undiagnosed palpitations. It allows patients to share their readings with clinicians, which in turn could support a local move of diagnostic services out of secondary care (hospitals) and into the community.
• North East London Pharmaceutical Committee is formed under the NHS regulations to represent local pharmacy owners and pharmacists. The committee represents all pharmacies in the London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest
• Barts Health NHS Trust is a group of hospitals providing a range of clinical services to people in east London and beyond. It operates from four major hospital sites (The Royal London, St Bartholomew’s, Whipps Cross and Newham) and a number of community locations, including Mile End hospital. Around 2.5 million people living in east London look to their services to provide them with the healthcare they need.
• Waltham Forest CCG leading the way to ensure the people of WalthamForest get reliable high quality healthcare services.
• Sonar Informatics aims to be the first contact for all Healthcare Providers to access information(Clinical Records), Support and Training.