The Community Cardiology Service, which runs from Wembley Centre for Health and Care and Willesden Centre for Health and Care is to end on the 28th February 2018 in keeping with the current contract. The provider, the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, has indicated that they do not wish to continue to provide the service beyond the end of contract date. The local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, Brent CCG, has been working closely with the provider to ensure a safe and effective transition of patients following the end of the contract.
Information has been provided to patients informing them that their future appointments will now take place at the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead. This affords continuity of care, as care will be given by the same team of doctors and other healthcare professionals, who run the service in Brent. Brent CCG has contacted Brent GPs informing them of the end of the community service. In keeping with patient choice, current and new patients can choose to be referred to the Royal Free Hospital or at a cardiology service at another Trust.
Dr Ethie Kong, Chair of Brent CCG said: “The care that our patients and residents receive is always at the forefront to any changes we make. The end of contract gives us a great opportunity to engage with the public to find out how we can further improve the service. Until then patients currently using the service have been advised of the changes to ensure that their care continues and there is a safe and effective transition of the service.”
Options for the future provision of a community cardiology service have been discussed by the Brent CCG Governing Body earlier this month. Currently, cardiology pathways are being reviewed across North West London (NWL) with a view to standardising pathways. Brent CCG will be represented at a NWL level working group that includes cardiology consultants from the four main acute Trusts in NWL to agree more consistent pathways for patients. Under this option, the CCG Governing Body would defer its decision on renewing the community cardiology model until a North West London pathway is agreed. This would have the advantage of consistency across NWL, benefiting from research the latest evidence base to determine the most appropriate service.
The CCG will engage with patients, clinicians and other stakeholders to further understand and meet the needs of the local population. Meanwhile, the CCG will continue to work closely with the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and local GP practices during the transition.
For further information and updates, please visit www.brentccg.co.uk
Cllr Ketan Sheth is Brent Council’s Chair of the Community and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee
