An improved service has launched in Brent which will see more patients with heart conditions treated in community settings, closer to home.

The Brent community cardiology service commences on 2 March 2015 and will provide community-based, consultant-led outpatient services for patients with cardiac conditions such as heart failure, stable angina, valvular heart disease and cardiac rehabilitation.

Patients will now be able to choose from two community centres – the Wembley Centre for Health and Care and the Willesden Centre for Health and Care – and appointments will be available through the week and some evenings and Saturday mornings.

The service, which is commissioned by Brent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), will be provided by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. Referrals to the service will be through local GPs.

Dr Ethie Kong, a local GP and chair of Brent CCG, said: “We are delighted that this service is launching because we want people in Brent to get the healthcare they need as easily and conveniently as possible.

“As well as a choice of two locations, this service will offer a wider choice of appointments and shorter waiting times.”

Dr Paramjit Jeetley, consultant cardiologist at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our team is looking forward to providing the same specialised care that is available in hospital, but on two sites convenient to patients by being closer to home.

“The presence of experienced consultants and specialist nurses, and cardiology investigations on both sites will ensure rapid clinical assessment, reduce the number of appointments, and will provide a more efficient service for patients in Brent.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Media contacts: Melissa.Allison-Forbes@nwlcsu.nhs.uk or call 07557 215319. 

About the Wembley Centre for Health and Care

The Wembley Centre for Health and Care is located on Chaplin Road, Wembley, HA0 4UZ, and the Willesden Centre for Health and Care is located on Robson Avenue, London, NW10 3RY. 

Referrals to the service will be through local GPs and patients who wish to be treated elsewhere have the right to choose to receive treatment at another provider.

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare. 

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver, kidney and bone marrow transplantation, haemophilia, renal, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. "A bigger trust, a better future."