Enhanced GP Role in Cardiology Pilot Study

Principal investigator: Sarah Hyatt

Other Key Staff: Dr Jonathan Shribman, Dr David Sprigings, Dr Paul Sinfield, Toni Hewitt, Holly Hamer, Lucy Douglas-Pannett, Stephen Rogers, Philippa Hinks

Partners Involved: Nene Commissioning, Northampton General Hospital, NHS Northamptonshire

Summary:
The prevalence of Heart failure in Northamptonshire is slightly higher than the national average but lower than similar (cluster) Primary Care Trusts. Throughout Northamptonshire heart failure and atrial fibrillation continue to account for a significant number of unscheduled admissions and excess bed days, alongside a continuing overdependence on hospital services for diagnosis.

This pilot study therefore aims to facilitate GPs to manage mild to moderate heart failure and atrial fibrillation in primary care; i.e. to optimise care local to the patient and reduce overall cost. This pilot study also responds to a recent opinion poll conducted by NHS Northamptonshire which indicated that patients wish to have care provided closer to home and, more specifically, to have more services provided by their local GP.

11 GP practices across Northamptonshire will be involved in this pilot involving the delivery of an educational intervention to improve knowledge and skills of GPs in managing heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Cardiology patients will be managed by their GPs for 16 weeks and quantitative data will be collected and analysed. At the end of the pilot, interviews will be conducted with participating GPs and patient experience questionnaires will also be used.  Roll out will use quasi-experimental design to determine the enhanced GP role's effectiveness across Northamptonshire.

Aims:

• Provide patient care ‘closer to home’ and improve patient satisfaction
• Appropriately treat patients in primary care (including implementation of NICE guidelines)
• Appropriately refer patients into secondary care, avoiding unnecessary referrals to secondary cardiology services
• Avoid emergency heart failure and atrial fibrillation admissions
• Influence commissioning decisions regarding direct access to cardiology diagnostics
• Increase current heart failure and atrial fibrillation knowledge base among GPs and contribute to their personal development

Further Information:
If you would like to be involved in this project or would like more information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Start Date: 04/2010 (pilot) 06/2011 (roll out)                                                 Expected End Date: 10/2010 (pilot) 08/2012 (roll out) 

Project Outcomes:
Should the pilot be deemed a success it would form the basis of a new clinical pathway in the county for patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation.