The new NICE guidelines, issued on 18th June 2014, stress that patients with irregular heartbeats, Atrial Fibrillation, must be seen and treated much more quickly. They should, where appropriate, be given anti-coagulation medication to bring down the high risk of stroke, which result from untreated Atrial Fibrillation.

NICE also stipulates that patients should have a personalised package of care.

Jane Race and Rosemary Najim, have started a new patient support group. The Surrey Arrhythmia Support Group, (SurreyASG) for this condition, and the inaugural meeting will be at Epsom Town Hall on 16th July at 5pm. Internationally acclaimed speakers include cardiologists from The Royal Brompton.

They were, therefore, very pleased, when attending an All Party Parliamentary meeting at the House of Commons, on 18th June, where the NICE Chairman Dr Campbell Cowan set out his intentions for patients, to hear our local SDCCG Cardiology lead, Dr Simon Williams, respond by agreeing clear pathways are needed. Dr Williams confirmed that Surrey Downs CCG will provide a rapid access diagnostic clinic so patients are treated swiftly.

Dr Richard Bogle, Clinical Cardiology lead at Epsom and St Helier hospital, who also attended the meeting, then put forward a plan for a ‘2 weeks to treat’ National policy.

Jane Race, Chair of SurreyASG says “We hope this will be taken up nationally, and that, in the meantime SDCCG will implement a ‘one stop shop’, rapid access clinic, where patients can be seen and treatment, particularly anti-coagulation where appropriate, is started within two weeks.”

This, combined with more detection of Atrial Fibrillation through pulse checks, will dramatically reduce the number of avoidable strokes.

Dr Bogle has kindly agreed to be the medical lead for the group, which has speakers including specialists from The Royal Brompton. More information can be found at: www.surreyasg.co.uk Based on information supplied by Jane Race.