Valve disease is rising in prevalence and is increasingly complex to assess non invasively.

New rapid access valve assessment clinics (RAVAC) launch in Lewisham and Lambeth

We are pleased to announce the launch of rapid access valve assessment clinics (RAVAC) in the London boroughs of Lewisham and Lambeth, bringing specialist cardiac diagnostics closer to home for local residents. This project is clinically led by Professor Phil MacCarthy and Professor Ronak Rajani. 

About the clinics

These one-stop community clinics are designed to:

  • Reduce waiting times for aortic stenosis diagnosis
  • Improve equity across the aortic stenosis care pathway
  • Deliver care closer to home, in line with the NHS Long Term Plan, by offering timely, local diagnostics

By streamlining the referral and diagnostic process, RAVAC aims to shorten the journey from referral to treatment for patients in South London. 

Referral information for GPs

GPs in Lambeth, Southwark, and Lewisham can now refer patients aged 50 and over who have a heart murmur detected on auscultation.
Referrals should be made using the ‘South London Community Rapid Access Valve Assessment Clinics’ form available on DXS, and sent to: kch-tr.sel.ravac@nhs.net 

Clinic locations and schedule

These clinics are open to eligible patients living in Lewisham, Lambeth, and Southwark.

Sky News Coverage on RAVAC

 

MDTs

South London MDTs (open to all clinicians) – Daily multidisciplinary meetings have been established for cardiac and cardiology referrals across the region (south London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex)

Addressing inequalities in heart valve disease

Report: Addressing inequalities in heart valve disease

Across South East London, there is a risk of missed opportunity for early HVD diagnosis and intervention. Phil MacCarthy, consultant cardiologist at King’s College Hospital, explored data and uncovered significant inequalities in TAVI take up, particularly related to ethnicity. He found that the white populations had up to 8 times more TAVI interventions than black communities. Something needed to be done to understand why, and to address issues to improve TAVI uptake for black communities.

The ODN commissioned Mabadiliko CIC to conduct an in-depth study on attitudes, trust, and engagement for Black African and Caribbean (BAAC) communities.

Read the report. 

Infective endocarditis

  • Pathway – The South London IE pathway provides a flow chart from presentation (GP or ED) through assessment, referral, management, and discharge.
    Download the South London IE pathway.
  • Patient wallet card – This wallet card was developed  for patients and given out during outpatient clinics / consultations. It helps to document a patient’s condition and decision on antibiotic prophylaxis. It has been approved by  the NHS, the British Heart Valve Society and the British Cardiovascular Society.
    Download the printable wallet card (or this version for professional printers).

    • Recommended printer settings: 90 x 54mm; full colour; thick card, eg 350gsm, uncoated; trim and score.

Online webinars

Cardiology in primary care – Virtual seminar series