Our AF (Atrial Fibrillation) Stroke Prevention Hub has been shortlisted in the HSJ Digital Awards, in the Optimising Clinical Pathways through Digital category.

The hub, which launched in 2022, works to prevent strokes by targeting those in the community who are at risk, especially those with AF (an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate). We work closely with primary care colleagues to identify and treat these patients, making a real difference in the prevention of strokes.

When a high-risk patient is identified, our nurses hold a virtual consultation with them before they download an app to their phone. This can monitor their heart rate simply by putting their finger to the camera lens for 30 seconds a day.

An alert is triggered if they are at risk, which means we can provide timely treatment and prevent a potentially life-changing stroke. The hub team then decides on the best form of treatment, which is often as simple as taking a daily tablet.

Our hub initially worked with four GP surgeries and has since expanded to cover patients from 20 more practices.

Devesh Sinha, a stroke consultant and our Chief Clinical Informatics Officer, said: “We are proud of the hard work and dedication of our nurses, Suma Kuriakose and Wendy Read, and GPs like Ann Baldwin. Our commitment is making a real difference to our communities, preventing strokes before they happen and reducing hospital stays, avoiding lifelong disabilities like paralysis.

“We are delighted to be shortlisted for this award, and it is a great acknowledgement of our team's hard work and innovative approach. We’re thankful to everyone involved for their support.”

The awards will be held in Manchester on Thursday 6 June.

Devesh is pictured above, third left, with colleagues from the hub.