AFib checks in Cheshire

[Kaz747]

I stumbled across this article on Twitter and thought it may be of interest to those of you in the UK. It's a long way from where I live now but I was born in the north of England (Liverpool) so still feel connected. Good to see AFib screening getting some attention.

digitalhealthage.com/firefi...

[CDreamer]

Excellent idea - great they are being proactive and detection is only the first part - let’s hope they also provide the resources and know how to be able to treat as well.

[pottypete1]

This is bizarre in many ways yet at face value sounds like a very laudable initiative.

My concern is that in the experience of many the local NHS system is not geared up to treat AF long term.

As is so often discussed here many AF sufferers find their treatment less than comprehensive locally. Some GPs don’t understand AF fully and it can be a fight to see one of the highly skilled EPs.

The government have the policy of establishing centres of excellence the result of which means that local hospitals try to cope yet fall short due to the demand outstripping the resources.

Pete

[BobD Volunteer]

Detection is the first stage of course but as Pete mentions it is pretty useless unless the GP system has been geared up to deal with any new cases found. In Bradford for example a system led by our own Dr Mathew Fay includes nurse led AF clinics to carry out follow up checks and ensure that all at risk patients are properly anti coagulated. As a result Bradford has the lowest incident of AF related strokes in the country.

Of course there are a number of patient led groups using such as Kardia devices doing random checks in shopping centres during our regular AF awareness weeks so it is not a new idea. I did two days at two different medical centres a few years ago and out of 85 people tested found 7 new AF cases who were referred on for treatment.

[Kaz747 in reply to BobD]

Yes, resources are definitely needed for follow ups and treatment. I always find it interesting to read about how things are handled under the NHS. I don’t know how long waiting lists are for AF for patients in Australia solely relying on the public system but I doubt it’s anything like the UK. I’m glad I have private health insurance and I have easy access to the best care without waiting. I’m also glad we have Medicare (which pays most of the doctor/pathology/radiography costs) and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) meaning most medications are heavily subsidised by the government (well really it’s us as taxpayers 😀).