Cannock Chase CCG has rolled out a digital heart monitor scheme to 151 GP surgeries across the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent area.
The portable electrocardiogram (ECG) devices were piloted in 2019 across 18 GP practices in East Staffordshire, designed to help detect irregular heart rhythms that can lead to blood clots and strokes.
The CCG highlights that the devices have already been used to diagnose heart conditions in 336 patients, and it’s also being used to assess patients with long term conditions such as diabetes, asthma, as well as respiratory illnesses, when attending surgeries for health check-ups.
Dr Rachel Gallyot, local GP and Clinical Chair, NHS East Staffordshire CCG, commented on the digital scheme: “This was a really successful project which had a huge impact on patient care. It’s a great example of partnership working between nurses, GP managers and clinical leaders across the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System. Our GP surgeries quickly adapted to using the new mobile devices to effectively support their patients.
“Early detection and prevention using these devices offers people massive health benefits. We can now provide people with education and support to make lifestyle changes that will keep them healthier and hopefully prevent their condition from getting worse.
“Having a stroke can result in serious and life-changing health consequences which are far more difficult to treat than if we had been able to catch them sooner and take preventative steps.”
Earlier in the month HTN hosted a series of online sessions as part of HTN Digital Primary Care. If you missed any of the sessions, you can watch them back here.
