Clinical Lead for Heart Failure – Claire’s story

New heart failure service at Dorothy House Hospice Care

"It was an exciting opportunity! While I have a lot of general medical knowledge having worked in nursing for 23 years, one of my particular interests was always cardiology. So when the opportunity came up to be Clinical Lead for Heart Failure, I felt that I could bring all of my experience and knowledge in cardiology and palliative care to the role. I aimed to set up a service for patients with heart failure so they are able to access the same service that someone diagnosed with cancer would receive.

The service is now officially live, so I’ve been involved in a lot of research, meeting heart failure teams and building connections and relationships through collaborating with the heart failure services within BSW.

I also work with GP practices, district nurses, community teams, the virtual wards that operate in the community, and hospitals. I have also started to sit in on the palliative care Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings at Salisbury Hospice, specifically around patients with heart failure.

I have loved having the opportunity to create a brand new service that will be collaborative, effective, and setting best practice for patients with heart failure; ensuring that they have equal access to hospice services that patients with cancer have. I love a challenge!”