Archive - Monday, 21 October 2002


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Patients to get boost from new heart training

PATIENTS in Ryedale are set to reap the benefits now primary care workers are specially trained in coronary heart disease.

Twenty-four nurses and three GPs attended training sessions organised by the Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Now almost every doctor's surgery in the region has at least one member of staff with a diploma in coronary heart disease, providing them with specialist knowledge to treat patients suffering from the problem. Staff have all graduated with flying colours, the same week as an influential report into the provision of care for cardiac patients showed national standards were not good enough.

Carole Irwin, from the PCT, said healthcare workers in this area were actively working to

improve patient care.

"The British Cardiac Society issued this report, saying there weren't enough qualified people in coronary heart disease," she said.

"But we have had staff studying for the diplomas for several months."

Coronary heart disease is one of the biggest killers in the country, and as a nation, the UK

has one of the highest disease rates in the world.

The joint study, compiled by the British Cardiac Society and the Royal College of Physicians, suggested patient care was far from adequate.

In the Ryedale area 90 percent of GPs' surgeries now provide staff with specialist knowledge.

"The response was excellent and take-up for the course was tremendous" Carole Irwin said.

"The whole course involved a lot of work, especially when you consider that these people are already working very hard in primary care. We were delighted."

At the Derwent Surgery, which serves more than 18,000 patients in and around Malton and Norton, special clinics focusing on coronary heart disease are now up and running.

Practice nurse Sandra Lee, one of two members of staff who completed the diploma, said: "Everyone I know who comes seems very grateful for the care and concern shown for their condition.

"We are checking up they are on the correct medication recommended by the National Service Framework, as well as focusing on diet and exercise."

Updated: 10:07 Monday, October 21, 2002