Latest news with #FrimleyHealth
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Surrey hospital first to use DIY heart monitors
A hospital trust in Surrey is the first in England to roll out a new DIY heart monitor, which it hopes will help to cut patient waiting Health NHS Foundation Trust has begun issuing the monitors, which look for heart rhythm problems, by device resembles a small patch which the user attaches to their skin, while traditional devices see patients hooked up to numerous wires and the device is worn for a few days, it is posted back, cutting out the need for appointments to fit and remove traditional equipment, the trust said. The information from the monitor is then assessed using artificial intelligence, which produces a report to be reviewed by a physiologist or a device can be used to investigate conditions including atrial fibrillation, tachycardia or heart Iain Sim, consultant cardiac electrophysiologist at Frimley, said: "It is smaller and more convenient, rather than different wires all over the place."We're able to reduce our turnaround times for reports and to get results back to patients faster."The trust said it would still use traditional devices, known as Holter monitors, on some patients who are in monitors are attached by trained physiologists but there is a shortage of these staff members at present, according to the Jordan, associate director for medicine at Frimley, said of the new monitors: "If you think of the bigger picture, it means that we're going to be able to manage our patients quickly."We've been running clinics by seeing maybe 30 patients in one day, whereas before, we were probably seeing 14 maximum, so we've kind of doubled our productivity."
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
New DIY heart monitor rolled out in bid to cut hospital waiting lists
The NHS has launched a new at-home heart monitor, empowering patients to self-diagnose potential heart rhythm issues with unprecedented ease. This innovative "DIY" device marks a significant shift from traditional monitoring methods, which often necessitate lengthy set-up by a trained physiologist. Unlike cumbersome conventional equipment that requires patients to be hooked up to multiple wires, the new kit is a discreet, small patch that adheres directly to the skin. It can be conveniently dispatched to patients via post, allowing them to attach it themselves in the comfort of their own homes. After being worn for a few days, the device is simply posted back, eliminating the need for follow-up appointments to fit and remove the equipment. The collected data is then analysed using an artificial intelligence (AI) tool called Cardiologs, which generates a report for assessment by either a physiologist or a doctor. It can be used to investigate conditions include atrial fibrillation, tachycardia or heart blocks. Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is the first hospital in the country to roll out the device, with hopes that the device will soon be used across other NHS trusts. The Trust said it will still use traditional devices, known as Holter monitors, on some patients who are in hospital, but many of those who are outside of hospital will be able to access the new ePatch, which is made by Philips, to use in the comfort of their own homes. It has estimated that the use of the patches will double its productivity levels for diagnosing heart rhythm problems. Dr Iain Sim, consultant cardiac electrophysiologist, told the PA news agency: 'The purpose of the device is to record the heart rhythm – to collect electrical signals from the heart – and to try to understand a bit about the patient and what they are experiencing and whether that can be explained by their heart rhythm. 'This smaller device allows us to measure at the moment up to 10 days 'The benefits of it are that it is smaller and more convenient, rather than different wires all over the place. 'We are able to put them on faster and we're able to reduce our turnaround times for reports and to get results back to patients faster.' He said that traditional Holter monitors are attached by trained physiologists but there is a shortage of these staff members at present. 'Because these are more straightforward, we've got specialist nurses who can be quite easily trained to apply them,' he added. Suzanne Jordan, associate director for medicine at Frimley Health, said the patches can even be sent out to patients for them to attach themselves. The feedback from the monitors are developed into reports for medics which are categorised in a traffic light system, she said. 'Green is perfectly fine – within normal limits; amber may need a clinician to review the report; red means potentially significant pauses or arrhythmia that need kind of an urgent review,' she said. 'It's been really positive – staff and patients really like it. 'We can post the patches to patients – there's explicit instructions there in terms of how to put it on, what to do if there's a problem, and also just to send it back as well. 'Once it comes back, it gets downloaded and the turnaround times are great.' Ms Jordan added: 'If you think of the bigger picture, it means that we're going to be able to manage our patients quickly. 'We've been running clinics by seeing maybe 30 patients in one day, whereas before, we were probably seeing 14 maximum – so we've kind of doubled our productivity. Asked about the conditions which will be monitored with the devices, Dr Sim added: 'Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a really important and common condition that we pick up with these devices, and we're increasingly looking at whether we can use them to help detect AF that's not symptomatic, and whether people are increased risk of stroke that we don't know about. 'The other conditions would relate to other forms of types of tachycardia, so fast heart rates, or episodes of very slow heart rates, such as heart blocks of different degrees, where patients may have palpitations or they may have fainting or syncope. 'So it allows us to monitor all of those heart rhythms.' On the use of AI to review the data from the monitors, he added: 'I think it's natural for everyone to be concerned whenever you put the term 'AI' into something, but these are pretty well tested algorithms that still have human oversight.' Mark Leftwich, managing director for Philips UK and Ireland, said: 'We're really excited to be working with Frimley Health to make heart monitoring easier and more comfortable for patients. ' Studies show Philips ePatch can spot up to 2.5 times more clinically relevant heart rhythm issues than the traditional Holter monitors – so not only is it more comfortable to wear, it can actually help catch issues that might have been missed before.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
NHS begins roll out of groundbreaking at-home heart monitors
The NHS has begun rolling out a new at-home heart monitor, the Philips ePatch, designed to detect heart rhythm problems such as atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, and heart blocks. This innovative device is a small, self-adhesive patch that patients can apply themselves at home after receiving it by post, eliminating the need for hospital visits for fitting and removal. After being worn for several days, the monitor is posted back, and its collected data is analysed by an AI tool called Cardiologs, which generates reports for medical assessment. Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is the first to implement the ePatch, which is expected to double productivity levels for diagnosing heart rhythm issues and can identify up to 2.5 times more clinically relevant problems than traditional Holter monitors. The new system offers greater convenience for patients and staff, reduces turnaround times for results, and helps address the current shortage of trained physiologists.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
NHS patients sent new skin patches to attach themselves at home which can detect common heart problems
DIY heart monitors that stick to the skin to detect heart rhythm problems are starting to be brought in by the NHS. The small patches, which patients wear for a few days, can be posted out for them to attach at home. They represent a huge leap forward from traditional devices, which require set-up by a trained physiologist and involve numerous wires and monitors. And they could be used to investigate some of the most common heart problems including atrial fibrillation – a condition where the heart beats irregularly – tachycardia, when the heart beats too fast, and heart blocks. Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, in Surrey, is the first hospital in the country to roll out the device, with hopes that it will soon be used across other NHS trusts. Dr Iain Sim, a consultant cardiac electrophysiologist at Frimley Health, said: 'Atrial fibrillation is a really important and common condition that we pick up with these devices, and we're increasingly looking at whether we can use them to help detect AF that's not symptomatic, and whether people are at increased risk of stroke that we don't know about.' The Trust said it will still use traditional devices, known as Holter monitors, on some patients who are in hospital. But many outpatients will be able to access the new ePatch, which is made by Philips, to use at home. After the monitor is worn for a few days patients can post it back, which will cut out the need for appointments to fit and remove the equipment. The information from the monitor is then collated using an artificial intelligence tool, Cardiologs, which produces a report which is then assessed by either a physiologist or a doctor. They represent a huge leap forward from traditional devices, which require set-up by a trained physiologist and involve numerous wires and monitors. And they could be used to investigate some of the most common heart problems including atrial fibrillation Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, in Surrey, is the first hospital in the country to roll out the device (pictured), with hopes that it will soon be used across other NHS trusts. The Trust said it will still use traditional devices, known as Holter monitors, on some patients who are in hospital. But many outpatients will be able to access the new ePatch to use at home Dr Sim added: 'The benefits of it are that it is smaller and more convenient, rather than different wires all over the place. We are able to put them on faster and we're able to reduce our turnaround times for reports and to get results back to patients faster.' He said traditional Holter monitors are attached by trained physiologists but there was a shortage of such qualified staff. These devices involve attaching electrodes to a patient's chest, attached by wires to a small, portable device. Wearing the monitors can sometimes be uncomfortable, especially at night, and it can be hard to keep the electrodes stuck to the skin. Suzanne Jordan, from Frimley Health, said: 'It's been really positive – staff and patients really like it.' She said her team has doubled their productivity since introducing the patches, as they are able to manage patients more quickly.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mum pens book to help children cope with hospital
A Surrey author has written a book designed to help children cope with a stay in hospital. Bex Grace wrote The Hospital Stay with Frimley Health with input from Frimley Park Hospital's paediatric team. Bex and her two children were born at the hospital and she is a member of the Maternity Voices Frimley group. A hospital spokesperson said the book offered "clear, age-appropriate communication and playful storytelling to reduce anxiety and empower children, while supporting parents and carers to guide their children through the experience". Every illustration is based on real scenes from hospitals at the trust, where 25% of all patients are children. James Clarke, the trust's chief strategy officer at Frimley Heath NHS Foundation Trust, said: "When I visited the hospital with my own four-year-old, I saw first-hand how many questions young children have and how important it is to help them feel at ease. "This book is a beautiful example of how we can make our ambitions real for children and families, helping them understand what great care looks like. "Bex's story is one of giving back, she's a local author, a parent, and a true partner in our mission to make hospital care better for everyone." The Hospital Stay with Frimley Health is available now on the Frimley Health Charity website, which will receive all profits from book sales. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Hospitals in South East given £67m for repairs Hospital extension welcomes first patients Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
