Call to double heart failure nurse numbers

Published on Monday 30 March 2009 09:57

THE number of heart failure nurses in the Lothians needs to double to meet minimum requirements, leading charities warned today.

As it stands, there is one such nurse for every 200,000 people in the NHS Lothian region, but guidelines state there should be a nurse for every 100,000.

Both the British Heart Foundation Scotland and Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland have urged the health board to take action.

The nurses provide care and advice to heart failure patients in their own home.

As well as advising patients on lifestyle changes, particularly related to diet and exercise, they also provide emotional support.

Andy Carver, BHF Scotland's prevention and care adviser, said: "It is essential that heart failure services in the Lothians continue to develop in order to ensure patients receive the care they need.

"We recognise that this is a particular challenge in areas of social deprivation and in rural and remote areas, where many services are already stretched."