Heart Failure

As part of the wider Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Programme, HI NENC is delivering a regional Heart Failure programme aimed at transforming heart failure pathways.

Heart failure is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the UK. This programme takes a holistic view of the condition, adopting a cardio-renal-metabolic (CRM) disease approach to address risk factors that contribute to poor health outcomes.

Programme aim

The programme aims to support earlier identification, reduce avoidable hospital admissions and improve the quality of life for people living with heart failure across North East and North Cumbria.

In partnership with the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) CVD team, HI NENC is working collaboratively with:

  • Primary and secondary care system leaders
  • Industry and innovation partners
  • Patient and public groups
  • Leading heart failure charities

This programme focuses on transforming heart failure pathways by embedding innovative diagnostics, optimising drug therapies, and introducing remote monitoring solutions in community settings. A series of webinars is also being delivered to support professional development in heart failure care.

The Heart Failure programme supports the three strategic shifts in NHS care. This includes addressing care gaps between hospital and community, prioritising prevention of and moving away from analogue to digital models of care.

Programme workstreams

Programme objectives

  1. Increase awareness of the condition to support earlier diagnosis, particularly through the adoption and spread of innovative technologies. For example, point of care testing and remote monitoring solutions.
  2. Enable clinical service redesign, to support management of the condition in primary care, using drug therapies, cardiac rehabilitation and digital tools.

For more information about the HI NENC Heart Failure Programme please contact: [email protected]

Background to heart failure

Heart failure is a significant clinical and economic challenge for the NHS, accounting for approximately 5% of NHS expenditure.

  • Over 920,000 people live with heart failure in the UK
  • Around 200,000 new cases are diagnosed each year
  • In England, 80% of diagnoses occur in hospital, often following an emergency admission
  • 40% of these patients had symptoms that could been identified earlier in primary care
  • There is significant regional variation in diagnosis and care pathways
  • Improved management of heart failure is estimated to save around 11,844 bed days, £4.15m and prevent 942 premature deaths

Despite these figures, opportunities to introduce digital tools, enhance pharmacological management, and redesign care pathways remain under-exploited.