CLINICAL QUALITY INDICATOR SURVEY - SEE NO 8 BELOW
BSH PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES
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Healthcare Commission Survey on Heart Failure
1. NICE consultation paper on ‘Selection of topics’
The BSH has been asked to comment on this paper, which seeks views on some proposed changes to the way in which the DoH selects topics for referral to NICE. This and other current NICE consultation papers, and summaries of overall feedback from previous consultations can be found at http://www.dh.gov.uk/Consultations/fs/en.
2. NICE guidelines on biventricular pacing (cardiac resynchronisation) for the treatment of HF
BSH is a stake-holder in the development of this initiative, the objectives of which are to appraise the clinical and cost effectiveness of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT – biventricular pacing) with and without an ICD for the treatment of heart failure due to LVSD, and to provide guidance to the NHS in England and Wales. Comments on the initial scope of the appraisal have already been provided to NICE, and comments on the technology are now being gathered.
3. NICE atrial fibrillation guidelines
Comments made by BSH on the initial phase of consultation are to be re-iterated in the latest document sent to stake-holders for comment. Please note that while the BSH were asked to comment on the guidelines, we did not write them. The BSH has not yet endorsed the guidelines. Please feel free to contact us with comments or if you identify any errors, inconsistencies, lack of clarity or controversy.
4. NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA): national framework agreement for the procurement of ICDs and pacemakers
BSH representation will be included in the steering group to discuss the proposed DoH/PASA framework for national procurement of ICDs and pacemakers, and will provide oversight from the heart failure perspective. The framework agreement is intended to simplify current processes and alleviate the need for additional local and regional tendering activity.
5. National register of health professionals with an interest in heart failure
BSH is planning to create a voluntary national register of all primary- and secondary-care health professionals with an interest in heart failure, facilitated through the new BSH website. This will allow us to disseminate information about NHS initiatives and knowledge about improving the care of patients with heart failure.
6. BACR/BSH Heart Failure Rehabilitation Group
See separate page
7. Heart failure curriculum for SpRs
BSH has continued its input into the core curriculum on heart failure which will form part of the sub-speciality training for SpRs in their final two years. The new curriculum will be introduced in August this year. Further information will be circulated to members in the next BSH newsletter.
8. Heart failure database
The national heart failure audit database developed by Central Cardiac Audit (CCAD), was launched on 23 July 2007 to all NHS Trusts in England and Wales. The National Heart Failure Audit has been commissioned by the Healthcare Commission to look at the quality of heart failure care throughout the NHS.
Clinical Quality Indicator Survey - Closes 12 December 2008
The NHS Information Centre is undertaking a consultation on Clinical Quality Indicators. There is an item relating to heart failure and participation in the audit. Inclusion of heart failure in a set of clinical quality indicators would be a very positive contribution to the audit and an important lever to improving the quality of data.
We invite you to register and support the inclusion of the heart failure indicator and if possible arrange a submission on behalf of your respective organisation. We are hoping that submissions from The British Society of Heart failure and The Heart Improvement Programme would have a favourable impact.
Registration is necessary to complete the survey.
http://www.ic.nhs.uk/work-with-us/consultations/clinical-quality-indicators-survey
After registration the heart failure indicator can be found under CVD on page 2. (Indicator 37 of 60).
To respond on behalf of an organisation email: cqi@nhs.uk
Please note that the consultation closes on 12 December 2008. Thank you for your support.
9. Healthcare Commission Survey on Heart Failure
Results from the Healthcare Commission survey on heart failure conducted during 2005/2006 were reported in July 2007 in a publication entitled "Pushing the boundaries - improving services for people with heart failure". The survey assessed 303 healthcare communities in England on the basis of four key criteria: diagnosis; treatment; care and support; and outcomes. The BSH provided advice to the Healthcare Commission on the design and analysis of the important audit, a summary of which was published in Heart (Nicols ED et al. Heart 2008; 94: 172-7).