Rationale
Detecting aortic stenosis in the community: Launching mobile valve clinics
South East London treatment rates for severe aortic stenosis (AS) in the Black population in remain disturbingly low, and mortality rates for untreated disease remain concerningly high.
Societal and cultural factors contribute to this. One way to break down these barriers is through greater access to echocardiography to diagnosis AS in this population.
The ODN Valve Inequity Steering Group has launched mobile community valve clinics at The Waldron Centre in Lewisham.
Primary care resources
We have developed materials for primary care colleagues to help ensure patients receive this rapid access:
- Referral criteria poster (aimed at patients)
- GP facing poster (aimed at GPs)
- Referral pathway
Impact
Benefits to patients
- Rapid access diagnostics closer to home
- Accelerated referral to King’s College Hospital for follow up
- Nurse support for better decision making
Benefits to GPs, system
- Impact health inequalities across your population
- Reduced wait times for echocardiograms for suspected AS / valve disease patients
- Cultural sensitivity training for teams
- Stronger relationships across primary care and King’s College Hospital
Become a mobile site
Working with primary care networks (PCNs), the team aims to establish clinics at up to 8 Lewisham GP practices or community sites, with each site holding a clinic once a month.
With a few sites already signed up, the team are looking to set up clinics across the entire borough to ensure they are easily accessible for patients.
Process
To become a participating practice, please register your interest via email to the team.
The only request from GPs is for a room to host the clinic one day a month. We will provide the echo machine and staff (nurse, electrophysiologist). Primary care teams would just be asked to let clinic staff know of patient’s arrival for their appointment.