Cardiology clinic celebrates success

The team from New Cross Hospital presented their results at a national conference

A hospital has said a new approach to treating patients with suspected heart conditions has proved five times quicker than standard NHS pathways.

Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital presented its approach at the British Society of Heart Failure conference in London.

It said its Heart and Lung Centre operated a "one-stop clinic" that meant patients referred by their GPs could access an echocardiogram and clinical assessment in a single appointment.

Dr Ayisha Khan-Kheil said patients could then be discharged back to their GP or urgently referred for other treatment.

The hospital's treatment of complex patients with renal and cardiac issues was also highlighted at the event.

Dr Ayisha Khan-Kheil added that experiences raised by other teams were also valuable, particularly research on the importance of tackling obesity and nutrition, and the role of virtual wards, which New Cross Hospital is also piloting.