NATIONAL REPORT SHOWS PH centres exceeding targets The UK’s specialist PH centres are meeting more of the national standards set by the NHS, according to a new report into their performance.
T
he eighth National Audit of Pulmonary Hypertension, based on data gathered between 1st April 2016 and 31st March 2017, showed significantly more of the targets were met compared to the previous year. For example, 98 per cent of patients referred to a specialist centre were seen, assessed and diagnosed within six months - exceeding the target by three per cent and showing a six per cent improvement. And the data showed that 96 per cent of patients had seen a specialist consultant at least once over the preceding 13 months; representing an improvement of four per cent and exceeding the target of 95 per cent. The audit also showed improvement in many other areas, including the measurement of quality of life. The NHS standards set out that quality of life questionnaires should be recorded for patients at least once a year. The target set was 90 per cent and the centres hit 88 per cent – which is a 14 per cent increase on the previous audit period. Plus, more patients than ever (91 per cent) received a right heart catheterisation before being diagnosed, representing an increase of three per cent. The target set was 95 per cent. Iain Armstrong, Chair of the PHA UK, said: “It’s fantastic to see improvement in many areas, which is testament to the staff who work extremely hard in what we all know is a high-pressured NHS. It’s also very encouraging to see that significantly more of the standards have been met compared to the previous year, cementing the UK’s specialist centres as the envy of the world.” The PHA UK played a vital role in setting up the National Audit of Pulmonary Hypertension by funding its first year in 2010. The audit is now funded via NHS Special Commissioning in England, and managed by NHS Digital (formerly The Health and Social Care Information Centre) in Leeds.
Other findings from the National Audit of Pulmonary Hypertension included:
87% of patients had a WHO functional class and six-minute walk or shuttle exercise test recorded before being given drugs to treat PH. 52% of patients referred to a specialist centre attended a consultation or were discharged within 30 days.
For 91% of patients, their first line drug therapy was a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor.
IA L SPECORT REP NAL THE NATIOPULMONARY AUDIT OF SION 2017 HYPERTEN INGS KEY FIND
audit was for the national In 2016/17, data PH centres: eight specialist submitted by all Glasgow National Hospital, • Golden JubileeHospital, London • Hammersmith e • Papworth Hospital, Cambridg London • Royal Brompton Hospital, • Royal Free Hospital, London Sheffield • Royal Hallamshire Hospital, e • Freeman Hospital, Newcastl Hospital, London • Great Ormond Street Children’s
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A summary of the findings from the National Audit of PH was mailed with this magazine. To see it online, visit www.phauk.org. To request a printed copy call 01709 761450 or email office@phauk.org
SPRING 2018 emphasis 12
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is delivere referred to land and d by NHS measures PH services Digital and the quality in England by answer of care pro (including ing three vided to peo patients refe key questio • Are pul ple ns: rred from monar y hyp Wales) and ertension Scotland, • Are pat services app ients rece iving the ropriate? • What are righ t trea the outcom tment in a timely es for pat ma ien nne ts The audit with pul r? answers thes monar y hyp e questions ertension? agreed targ through the ets reported measuremen at a nationa March 2017 t of a num l level, and . It’s very ber of prof covers the encouraging compared essionally time period to see that to the prev of 1st April significantly ious year, 2016 – 31st mor cementing e of the stan For the seco the UK’s spec dards hav nd year, the ialist cent e been met PHA UK has res as the them in a envy of the clear, acce taken the ssib world. key findings le way. We’ service in of the repo ve done this the UK is rt and pres performing. so you can ented see, at-a-gla Once aga nce, how in, we’re brin the PH ging you the statistic the informa s you told tion that’s us you wan important ted to kno As always to you, by w about mos , we’d love including t. to know wha National Aud t you thin it of Pulm k about the onary Hyp Please ema findings of ertension il us at offi the and how we’v ce@phauk.o or tweet us e presente rg, call us @PHA_UK. d them. on 01709 761450
We hope
you enjoy
Iain Armstro ng Chair of PHA UK
reading thi s rep
ort.
See overleaf for more key findings from l the Nationa Audit of PH
