The Trust is only one of a limited number of hospitals to provide this specialist valve clinic. During the clinic appointment, a scan is performed which identifies how well the valves of the heart are working and, if present, highlights any abnormal cardiac conditions.
Valve disease is a common cause of breathlessness and murmurs in all ages, particularly in people aged over 65. Undetected valve disease can lead to premature death but early detection and valve surgery saves lives. Previously, Mr Patterson would have had to travel to either Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust for this type of specialist clinic. But thanks to the two trusts working together in partnership under the #Vanguard model of care, the clinic is now available locally.
Mr Patterson was accompanied by his wife and daughter today who said “Not having to travel to London has been a real bonus, saving us lots of time and reducing the stress on my dad significantly. We only live in Gravesend so travelling to Darent Valley is ideal. We have been really impressed with the service my dad has received, we have to come to hospital regularly and everywhere we go the care has been fantastic.”
Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust and Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust are one of NHS England’s chosen Vanguard sites, part of the new models of care programme. The new Foundation Healthcare Group model aims to allow the two trusts to collaborate and share information more effectively which will greatly improve patient experience, clinical outcomes and financial sustainability, without the formal organisational change of a merger or acquisition. The new valve clinic will benefit both staff and patients alike. Patients will benefit from having a specialist service linked to a renowned London hospital with faster access to any necessary surgical intervention. They will also benefit from having specialist trained staff so close to home.The benefit to staff is the presence of a specialist from St Thomas’ on site training and upskilling the team, ready for when they run the service themselves. Specialist support will continue to be available from Guy’s and St Thomas’.
Pauline Cherek, Principal Cardiac Physiologist said, “This is going to be a much better service for the local community and save them the stress and aggravation of travelling to London, especially our older patients. The new service will give my workforce better professional development on top of what they already do routinely in the Heart Centre.”
(Pictured L-R: Dr Helen Rimington - Consultant Cardic Physiologist, Dr Peter Kabunga - Consultant Cardiologist, Mark Passey - Chief Cardiac Physiologist, Robert Sargent - Cardiac Physiologist and Pauline Cherek - Principal Cardiac Physiologist with patient Derek Patterson).