More than 1.4 million people in the UK have atrial fibrillation (AF) which is a type of irregular heartbeat. Having AF means that blood clots are more likely to form in the heart and making patients five times more at risk of suffering a stroke. Furthermore, AF-related strokes are twice as likely to result in […]
The Requirement From Thursday 1st October 2020, Primary Care Network’s (PCN’s) are required to use the appropriate tools to identify and prioritise patients who’d benefit from a Structured Medication Review (SMR) which must include patients: In Care Homes With Complex and Problematic Polypharmacy – Specifically those on 10 or more Medications On Medicines commonly associated […]
Atrial Fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder in primary care and increases the risk of stroke considerably in most sufferers. In order to reduce this risk, high risk AF patients should be anticoagulated either with a VKA (i.e. Warfarin) or with a Direct Oral Anticoagulant (DOAC). Whilst Warfarin has been used for many […]
A project aimed at preventing fatal strokes in those with Atrial Fibrillation is now underway with 23 demonstrator CCGs across England receiving part of the £9 Million put forward by NHS England. The funding was allocated by the NHS to pay for virtual clinics in which Pharmacists can assist GPs in the detection and management […]
Improving the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) An extensive review into the QOF was launched in 2017 involving analysis of evidence, engagement with practices, organisations and the public. Whilst the review concluded a ‘significant refresh’ is needed, the general consensus in England, unlike Scotland and Wales is for evolution of QOF over abolition. Positives of […]
The Oberoi Stroke Prevention & Case Finding Service was rolled out across all of NHS Darlington CCG’s 11 GP practices in June 2019. Professor Ahmet Fuat, renowned for his expertise in Primary Care Cardiology, headed up its introduction and supported deployment at the practices which serve 108,273 patients in County Durham. Public Health England (PHE) AF […]
