New programme to transform heart failure care in the region

A new programme is set to improve the diagnosis, treatment and care of people with heart failure in Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Health Innovation South West is one of 11 health innovation networks taking part in the national programme which aims to transform local heart failure pathways to reduce emergency admissions, support earlier diagnosis in primary care, and improve access to evidence-based treatment and digital innovations.

The national programme directly supports the Government’s strategic shifts in NHS care:

• From hospital to community: Utilising point-of-care testing in the community to enable earlier, timely diagnosis of heart failure before emergency admission to the hospital.
• From sickness to prevention: Raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart failure to identify people with heart failure earlier, optimise their treatment and improve their quality and quantity of life.
• From analogue to digital: Improving the adoption and spread of digital tools supporting the diagnosis and self-managed care of heart failure.

It is estimated that improving the management of heart failure in England could prevent 942 premature deaths and reduce bed days by 11,844, saving the NHS £4.15m by 2027.

In the South West, heart failure (HF) affects approximately 36,500 people with a current prevalence rate in the region between 1.63 and 2.07%. In reality there is likely a significant number of people who remain undiagnosed and therefore not accessing the treatment they need.

Whilst a significant number of annual reviews by patients’ GPs are taking place (84%), data shows that only a small number of these patients are on all 4 medications which are now recommended as the most effective treatment for Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF). The focus of this work is to raise awareness of the appropriate medications and increase capacity in primary care to titrate and  slow down the progression of the disease to enhance patients’ quality of life.

Health Innovation South West is working in partnership with local integrated care systems to deliver the national Heart Failure Programme to address a condition that currently affects around 920,000 people in the UK, a number expected to double by 2040. In the South West, key digital tools like the Clinitouch remote monitoring platform, the PocDoc rapid screening app and the BEAT-HF symptom-awareness campaign are being woven into local care pathways to enable earlier diagnosis and reduce hospital admissions.

This collaboration with 11 health innovation networks and NHS integrated care systems, reflects a broader NHS commitment to community-based care, prevention and digital innovation. By 2027, the programme aims to save nearly 12,000 NHS bed days, avoid over £4 million in costs and prevent approximately 942 premature deaths across the UK. Through steadfast implementation and ongoing evaluation, these initiatives in the South West are expected to drive tangible improvements in patient experience, clinical outcomes and health equity for individuals living with heart failure.

The Somerset Heart Failure programme is a collaborative programme between Somerset ICB, primary care, and Health Innovation South West. The programme seeks to improve the detection, treatment, management and outcomes of patients with HF in Somerset. This will be achieved by training and supporting PCN level HF champions across the county to transfer, implement and embed knowledge at site level leading to an increase in the detection and identification of HF patients, earlier treatment, and improved quality of life. 

Harriet Matthews, Programme Manager, Health Innovation South West said: 

“This collaborative initiative marks a transformative shift in how we approach heart failure in the South West. By harnessing digital innovation and empowering frontline teams, we’re embedding smarter, earlier interventions into local care pathways—ultimately saving lives, reducing hospital admissions, and delivering care that meets people where they are. The Somerset programme is a great example of what’s possible when NHS systems, industry partners, and communities work hand in hand to drive lasting health improvements.”

You can find out more about the programme and the innovations supporting change, here.