Overview

We run a world class service for people with heart failure, which includes:

• quick assessment and diagnosis of people with suspected heart failure
• development of a fully personalised management plan
• appropriate education and advice for patients and carers
• referral to other clinics if needed, such as cardiac rehabilitation, psychological support and advanced heart failure therapies

We have excellent links with GPs and lead our community specialist heart failure nursing team.

Our aim is to make sure your heart condition is diagnosed quickly and you receive personalised treatment. We focus on making sure our patients are at the centre of their treatments and when we can, try to provide treatment locally in the community.

Heart failure is when the heart does not function as well as it should. There are many causes of heart failure, and our medications can improve symptoms, make patients live longer and prevent patients from being admitted to hospital. Different types of heart failure may need specific treatments. We have expertise in diagnosing and treating patients with:

• coronary artery disease
• valve disease
• hypertension
• rhythm problems
• cardiotoxicity
• rheumatic diseases
• renal disease
• infection related heart disease
• infiltrative heart disease
• inherited heart disease
• heart muscle diseases
• pregnancy related heart failure.

Read more about heart failure on the NHS website.

Treating heart failure

If you have heart failure, you'll be started on new medicines to make you feel better, live longer and to prevent you getting acutely unwell.

MedTap is a medicine information and reminder app created by our team. Using MedTap you can access short videos explaining your medications and condition. You can record your medication and set reminders to make sure you never miss a dose.

MedTap is free to download on iOS and Android.

We may discuss referring you to the cardiac rehabilitation team, or another team, to make sure you access the specialist care you may need. Some patients may be referred for advanced heart failure therapies, or to our palliative care colleagues. In addition to medications, you may be considered for further treatments that we'll discuss with you. This may include a pacemaker or a defibrillator, angiography, or treatment of your heart rhythm problem. 

Wards

You may stay on:

• Becket ward
• Stephen ward
• Doulton ward

Our consultants

• Jessica Webb, clinical lead for heart failure
• Laura Ann McGill
• Tevfik Ismail
• Stam Kapetanakis
• Andrew D'Silva
• Gerry Carr-White, cardiovascular clinical director
• Obi Okonko
• Paul Scully

Research and clinical trials

Research is vital to improving the care that you receive when you're unwell. You can help improve healthcare by taking part in research studies at our Trust. During your appointment, ask your healthcare professional about research. They'll be happy to tell you about research studies you could be eligible to join.