Global recognition for Essex heart care team

Heart care professionals at an Essex hospital have reduced their waiting times over the last few years with a new mobile app.

The Arrhythmia team from the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre at Basildon Hospital, part of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, have been recognised for how they are helping patients monitor their heart rhythm remotely using an app called Fibricheck.

It uses light from a patient’s smartphone camera to measure blood flow in their finger, tracking irregular heart rhythm after a procedure and shares the data with the team at the CTC in real-time.

Staff at the hospital can then review and track variations in heart rate and offer guidance or adjust the patient’s medication remotely.

Sharon Toora, Lead Arrhythmia Nurse Specialist, says its reducing patients need to make regular trips to the hospital.

She said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won the Digital Innovation award. It’s a reflection of the outstanding work by the team and the real difference that Fibricheck has made in improving the quality of care for our patients.

“Back when we used to have everything face to face, we had quite long wait times for certain in-person tests, but we've actually avoided those completely. We're able to manage patients’ long term conditions in the comfort of their own homes, so this means that we're able to make real time decisions quite quickly. Patients also feel quite engaged with their care because they have these results at their fingertips because they get these reports.

“It's been transformative, certainly for our patients and they love it.”

The initial pilot of the project was funded by Mid & South Essex Hospitals Charity, with further funding from the Charity and Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board.

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