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The Integrated Heart Failure Service (IHFS) is a new service that aims to improve the health outcomes of people living with heart failure in East and North Hertfordshire (ENH) and help patients to access a range of services to support patients manage their condition. The service will enable patients with heart failure to be monitored closer to home, in the community, and benefit from earlier identification, diagnosis and management of their condition.
The goal of the IHFS is to enhance the quality of care for patients, improve patient outcomes, and promote a holistic approach to managing heart failure. By bringing together various healthcare professionals and services, the aim is to provide personalised and comprehensive care tailored to the individual needs of each patient.
The service is a nurse led service but will include patient access (where required) to a consultant cardiologist and specialist heart failure nurses working closely with community nurses, hospices, and primary care colleagues. The specialist nurses will work in the community, with patients being seen in their homes.
The IHFS will work with all services in the community, including primary care, mental health services, palliative care and acute services, to understand the service user and their needs, putting them in control of their condition whilst also coordinating and delivering services to achieve the best outcomes for their patients.
- How the Service is provided
- Making a referral
- Patient experience
- Useful information
- What will happen at your appointment
- Who is eligible for the service
How the Service is provided
You will be seen either in your own home or at a clinic location, whichever is the most appropriate.
Making a referral
Referrals will be accepted via the dedicated referral form or via e-RS, links and contact details will be advertised once the service is launched early 2024
Patient experience
If you would like to share your story, please contact the Patient Experience team on 01707 388036 or email hct.patientexperienceteam@nhs.net
Useful information
As ENH does not have experience of an existing IHFS, the service will be incrementally mobilised over several years, commencing in February/March 2024. Due to the needs of the population, the service will launch in the area of highest need first, which has been identified as Lower Lea Valley. The service will grow over time in line with recruitment of staff. The benefit of this approach is that the service will be safely developed, processes will be embedded, and lessons learnt can be applied to future mobilisations.
Websites
British Heart Foundation
What will happen at your appointment
For each of the services provided there is a different approach.
Generally, after a full and thorough assessment you will be provided with an individualised package of advice and treatment tailored to your specific needs to enable you to manage your heart failure
Who is eligible for the service
Anyone aged over 18-years, registered with an East and North Hertfordshire GP, with a diagnosis of heart failure confirmed by echocardiogram will be eligible for the service.
