NHS England fund REACH-HF

In September 2021, REACH-HF was commissioned by NHS England to train 60 healthcare professionals from 15-20 sites across England. In 2021 and 2022, a total of 60 healthcare professionals from 20 sites attended remotely delivered REACH-HF training hosted by the Heart Manual Department (NHS Lothian). Each trained healthcare professional was provided with 10 REACH-HF manuals and offered up to a further 20.

The majority of sites trained reported that the REACH-HF programme would either replace their current home-based programme or it would run alongside their current modes of delivery offering an additional menu approach for heart failure patients that may not be suited to traditional cardiac rehab.

Feedback from delivery of REACH-HF included:

• Increased patient knowledge of condition and medication used to manage condition
• Patient appreciation of convenience/flexibility of completing exercises at home
• Improved patient fitness, increased exercise tolerance, improved mobility and fewer problems breathing
• Increased patient confidence and outlook
• Reduced anxiety
• Increased options/choice
• Improved quality of life

Healthcare professionals found the training enabled them to provide a high standard of care and increased their engagement and confidence. Patient self-management eased the responsibility of staff.

The Heart Failure Manual was considered:

•  A well-evaluated, nationally recognised, evidence-based resource
•  A useful caregiver resource
•  An inclusive resource
•  Structured, interesting and comprehensive

Other findings included:

• Fewer readmissions
• Increased referral rate
• Positive feedback from commissioners and stakeholders

Press release 07 October 2021