Stockport Heart Failure Service
The service is based at Kingsgate, in the Centre of Stockport. The expanded service consists of 4 heart failure specialist nurses, supported by 2 heart failure consultants, and a GP with special interest in cardiology.
Patients with proven Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD) on echocardiogram are seen by the service. In addition to optimising medical management for LVSD the team offer education, support and advice on self-management. The heart failure service now also offer support on an in-reach basis to patients admitted to Stepping Hill where heart failure is a cause of admission.
Echocardiograms:
Echocardiograms for patients with suspected heart failure and a raised BNP can be requested from Stepping Hill Hospital using form available here:
- Echocardiogram referral form Sept 14
Referrals:
Patients with heart failure and proven LVSD on echocardiogram can be referred via Choose and Book. There is also a 2 week fast track process, this is only for patients with new suspected heart failure who also have a past history of MI or BNP >400.
Detail on the referral processes is available in the following document:
- Heart failure diagnosis and referral pathway Sept 14
GP referrals for heart failure with LVSD should be referred to the heart failure service at Kingsgate on C&B (rather than Cardiology at Stepping Hill Hospital). All patients are seen within 6 weeks, with priority given depending on the clinical need as stated in the referrals.
Please send the appropriate referral form (or a letter with relevant details if preferred) via Choose and Book. Standard referrals are booked on C&B as “routine” and 2 week fast track referrals as “urgent”.
- Heart failure referral form Sept 14
- Heart failure 2 week fast track referral form Sept 14
Heart Failure Clinics:
- Clinic appointments are offered at Kingsgate, follow ups can also be offered at a monthly satellite clinic held at Woodley health centre run by the specialist nurses
- Home visits can be arranged for housebound patients only
Stockport Heart Failure Guidelines
The following guidelines are available to support the implementation of NICE (2010) Heart Failure management in Primary care.
- A Guide to the Management of Heart Failure in Primary Care December 2012
- Heart Failure Management Pathway Sept 14
Community Physical Activity
This is provided for specific cardiac rehabilitation patients by Joanne Diffley-King, a trained phase IV cardiac rehabilitation exercise facilitator. This service can be accessed via cardiac rehabilitation at Stepping Hill and other local hospitals.
Practice Educational Sessions
The heart failure team are happy to provide practice educational sessions and support the implementation of local and NICE guidance at educational and training events.
They can be contactedon , or via email to or .
Additional Resources
The following self management plan is for use with individual patients where appropriate:
- Heart failure self management 2014
