Heart failure patients benefit from specialist nurses
- Published: 30 September 2008 14:53
- Author: Tom Downey
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- Last Updated: 30 September 2008 15:02
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Specialist nursing care improves the quality of treatment for heart failure patients and saves a significant amount of money, an independent review published by the BHF has revealed.
Researchers from York University found that BHF specialist nurses improved the quality of life of patients. Those in contact with a specialist nurse reported that their condition was having less of an impact on their daily lives than before they had regular nursing care.
The report also concluded that heart failure nurses could save PCTs up to £1,826 per patient - with a 35% drop in readmissions following the introduction of the specialised nurses.
Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the BHF feels specialist nurses have made a dramatic difference for heart failure patients. He said that specialists nurses: 'were able to give advice and reassurance which enabled patients to understand and manage their conditions.'
The Big Lottery Fund had provided funding for a three year project which rolled out 76 nurses across 26 trusts. Despite the end of this financial backing, all the PCTs have recognised the success of this programme and found alternative means of funding the service.
