Improving detection and treatment rates with reduced inequalities

Click image to read more about the project

Addressing ethnic inequalities in treatment of aortic stenosis
Reducing variances in access and treatment for diverse populations
Increased public education and awareness

Addressing heart valve disease in Black African and Black Caribbean communities

Clinicians in the South London Cardiac Operational Delivery Network (ODN) tackle the underrepresentation of Black African and Black Caribbean communities in South East London in the diagnosis and treatment of heart valve disease.

The Cardiac ODN is working with Mabadiliko, a third sector expert in inclusivity and equity, to understand behaviours and attitudes that impact care within the Black African and Caribbean communities.

Linking this work to ICB activities, the insight and report will provide the basis to create resources for the health system to better serve this underserved population, as well as influencing the national healthcare inequalities improvement programme.

The report findings are expected to be published by December 2022.

South London Cardiac ODN case study featured in new King’s Fund report

The South London Cardiac ODN was one of just six case studies selected for inclusion in new The King’s Fund report, Cardiovascular disease in England, published this month for the project mentioned above.  The network project which seeks to tackle the under-representation of Black African and Black Caribbean communities in South East London in the diagnosis and treatment of heart valve disease (left), can be found on page 45 of the report.

The report provides insight into why cardiovascular disease must be a priority — and actions for national and local leaders to take to address it.

Download the King’s Fund report.

Raising awareness of heart valve disease in the community

A Peckham heart awareness event was held on 1 November. This collaborative public engagement event between the South London Cardiac ODN, South East London ICS, local council and Healthwatch, with national charity, Heart Valve Voice, brought health checks to people in Peckham.

People boarded the Your Heart Matters bus where clinical teams checked their hearts for abnormalities requiring follow up. People were also offered flu and Covid vaccines, plus a blood pressure check.

Of the 322 hearts checked, 52 people were found to have a heart murmur or requiring further tests, and two people were sent to A&E. Those who were found positive received information to take to their GP to have them refer the patient in to the heart valve service for further investigation.