NHS England launches remote monitoring initiative for heart failure

NHS England has launched a new initiative to support heart failure patients with the tools and expertise they need to remotely monitor their condition at home.

The Managing Heart Failure @ Home initiative minimises face-to-face appointments for these patients and reduces unavoidable hospital stays and readmissions.

In a blog post, Professor Nick Linker, national clinical director for heart disease at NHS England, wrote: “This approach is about enabling heart failure services to work in the most efficient way possible.”

Managing Heart Failure @ Home was launched to professionals earlier this month. NHS England is now looking for teams who are interested to become early adopters of the scheme. Those who come on board will have the opportunity to trial the home-care system, and improve the care they offer their patients.

Professor Linker added: “Managing Heart Failure @home is working with professionals to support people to manage their own health and to stay well at home, using remote monitoring, supported self-management and education. This can minimise unnecessary face-to-face appointments and reduce avoidable hospital admissions and readmissions.

“The @home approach can work alongside virtual wards, supporting patients who require acute care in their own homes. Experienced specialists in heart failure care will ensure any remote interactions are clinically safe and appropriate, ensuring consideration of individual needs.”

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust has already trialled the move to empower patients to self-manage their condition. It recently teamed up with Luscii, to enable heart failure patients to self-monitor their vitals at home using AI technology.

The NHS England @Home approach will have three core elements:

• Personalised care: Heart failure care will be delivered using a personalised care approach. This includes listening to what individuals need to help them manage their condition; empowering patients with knowledge, skills and the confidence to manage their health; and shared decision making. The focus will be on meeting a patient’s holistic needs.
• Remote support and monitoring: The use of technology will enable patients to remotely monitor their symptoms. Patients will know how to recognise and report any changes to their condition so that timely interventions can be made where appropriate. Physiological measures can be shared with clinicians.
• Integrated care: To support continuity of care and deliver an improved experience for patients and clinicians, there will be better coordination between primary, community and secondary care.

Teams interested in trialling the NHS England Managing Heart Failure @ Home scheme should register their interest.