Heart disease clinics urged for NHS-wide rollout to tackle ethnic treatment gap

A six-month pilot of rapid access valve assessment clinics in south London screened 168 patients—55% from minority ethnic backgrounds—and clinicians are calling for the model to be expanded across NHS England to address disparities in diagnosis and treatment.

Doctors behind a pilot programme say rapid access valve assessment clinics should be rolled out across the NHS to help address ethnic disparities in heart valve care. The six-month pilot ran in south London and was developed by Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust together with King's College Hospital. Patients were referred after a GP or screening event identified a heart murmur. Clinicians report the clinics identified a high proportion of valve disease and have urged wider adoption. Key findings: - The pilot screened 168 patients over six months, with 55% from minority ethnic backgrounds. - Of those screened, 57% had valve disease or other clinically significant findings. - Over a third (35%) were found to have at least moderate valve disease needing further treatment or surveillance. - Research cited by the team indicates Black patients were 48% less likely, and South Asian patients 27% less likely, to receive a valve replacement compared with white patients. - The clinics were placed in areas with higher minority populations and known lower treatment rates; NHS England has been approached for comment. Summary: The pilot identified many previously undetected valve problems and highlighted reported disparities in access to aortic valve treatment; clinicians have called for the community rapid access valve clinic model to be replicated nationally. Undetermined at this time.