New standards to ensure patients with CHD receive best care

NHS England has set out plans to implement new standards that will ensure patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) receive the best possible care.

Hospitals that do not currently fulfil these standards, which have been developed by specialists and patients, must either show they have a programme to do so and meet strict milestones, and stop providing treatment.

NHS England’s work has already seen patients with CHD benefitting from these standards, including full out of hours, seven day cover across the country and safer practice as procedures are only carried out by specialists.

However, in future all children with heart disease will receive inpatient care in a place where all the specialists and services they need are on-site, without the hassle of travelling.

The new plan will ensure that in future all hospitals will meet the new standards.

NHS England will work with providers on their plans and closely monitor progress towards each of their individual standards, and take appropriate action, if it becomes clear that the standards will not be met according to the timescale set.

NHS England also signalled its support for further action to implement all the standards at all of the hospitals providing CHD services. There will be support for networks to promote closer working between hospitals, steps to improve the information available on how well the service is performing and a national programme to assess each centre against the remaining standards and to share best practice.

Huon Gray, national clinical director for heart disease, NHS England, said: “Every patient should be confident that their care is delivered by a hospital that meets quality standards, which have been developed after long consultation with patients, their families and specialist clinical staff. These standards, agreed in 2015, are intended to ensure that the care received by those with congenital heart disease is consistent, of the highest quality, and maintained in future years. These objectives have always been at the forefront of our proposals.

“Progress made towards meeting the standards so far is encouraging, and we know that the Brompton and Leicester have gone to great lengths to develop plans to meet the standard. However, we have been clear that there is further work to do and where necessary, action must be taken to achieve this within the specified timescales.”