Improving the patient experience: developing solutions to delivering sustainable pathways in cardiac surgery

NHS Improvement
The Heart Improvement Programme, one of 4 clinical specialities which form NHS Improvement, is currently running a number of National Priority Projects focussing on aspects of service improvement throughout cardiovascular care.
In cardiac surgery the programme is focussing on helping cardiothoracic units meet the target of 18-weeks from referral (by a GP) to definitive treatment by building on work carried out over the last 12 months that centred on cardiology pathways and diagnostics. The 18-week target is a particularly challenging one for cardiac surgeons as a variable amount of the eighteen weeks is taken up by referring cardiologists performing first and second phase diagnostics etc.
The project also supports organisations to review and implement recommendations outlined in the National Confidential Inquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (The Heart of the Matter June 2008).

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