The aim of the National Primary Care Development Team (NPDT) is to develop healthcare professionals who have the knowledge and skills to apply quality improvement methods to local priorities. CHD is one such priority and has been within the focus of our work for almost four years. Working in partnership with other agencies who share our priorities is essential. Janet Potts, who leads on the work of the NPDT in West Yorkshire, joined forces with Adele Graham from the CHD Collaborative in West Yorkshire, to give the strongest possible support to local primary healthcare professionals. The CHD register ‘recipe’ was devised by this partnership.
Beta blockers
Beta blockers are well established drugs in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, after first being introduced 20 years ago. Today, they are used to treat patients with a range of cardiovascular conditions – hypertension, myocardial infarction, angina, heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). There is good evidence for beneficial effects with beta blockers and their use is recommended in many guidelines, including the recent British Hypertension Society guidelines. Prescribing of beta blockers in patients with heart disease is further encouraged as a ‘quality marker’ in the new GMS contract.
Running a successful cardiovascular clinic in general practice
The very good audit data for this practice has led to its winning awards. So how does the practice do it? This ‘day in the life of’ photo diary gives a step-by-step guide to the key elements of running a successful cardiovascular clinic in general practice.
Bringing CHD management back to primary care
Managing heart failure effectively in the community Community-based nurses are at the forefront of vigorous efforts to improve the management of coronary heart disease. The Coronary Heart Disease Collaborative is spearheading 30 projects around the country to find practical ways forward. This issue reviews how Durham Dales PCT has brought the management of heart failure firmly back into primary care, with up-to-date registers of heart failure patients and regular clinics in the community.
Getting it right – how to measure BP in the surgery
It’s something that we do so often, but are we always doing it the best way? Check out how to measure blood pressure (BP) correctly, with latest advice from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and the British Hypertension Society.
Expanding the role of health care assistants in primary care
As practice nurses take on a growing role in the organisation and implementation of chronic disease management, they need more help in many of the routine – but important – tasks this involves. Health care assistants (HCAs) are providing growing support in this capacity. This article explores what HCAs are taking on and issues regarding their training and regulation.
Chest pain in Primary Care – would you and your team know what to do?
This article considers a possible scenario in primary care in which a patient presents with chest pain. Test yourself to see what you would do. Then check this against our recommendations, reflecting on your current procedures and policies within your practice.
Making sense of heart failure and its treatment
Heart failure is a high priority in primary care, with the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease, the NICE Heart Failure Guidance, and the new General Medical Services contract quality indicators all setting clear standards for improving the management of patients with this increasingly common condition. This four-page pull-out supplement provides you with a need-to-know, need-to-keep guide.
