We are trialling the Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Protection Collaboration in Nottingham City using collaborative working to more effectively treat people who have been diagnosed with AF, to reduce their risk of stroke.

AF is one of the most common forms of abnormal heart rhythm and a major cause of stroke – which is the third biggest cause of premature death in the UK. People with AF are five times more likely to suffer a stroke and AF contributes to one in every five strokes.

The AF Protection Collaboration encourages healthcare professionals to work in partnership to improve treatment for patients who have received an AF diagnosis and require anticoagulation treatment – drugs that reduce the risk of blood clots forming – that helps prevent stroke.

The initiative works using specialist pharmacists to identify patients not currently on anticoagulation treatment. The pharmacist works with the patient’s GP to create a tailored plan so they receive the most effective type of anticoagulation treatment.

Aligned with the NHS Long Term Plan, published in January 2019, this approach reinforces a commitment to improving the treatment of high-risk cardiovascular conditions, maximising prevention and ongoing management of long term conditions. This initiative supports the promise made in the NHS in the Long Term Plan to “support pharmacists and nurses in primary care networks to case find and treat people with high-risk conditions. Where 100 people with AF are identified and receive anticoagulation medication, an average of four strokes are averted, preventing serious disability or even death.” (Page 62, NHS Long Term Plan – January 2019).  

The East Midlands Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) is helping set up and fund the trial, which will aim to test that it works and could be spread to other parts of the East Midlands to benefit more people. Similar schemes have been trialled by other AHSN’s in their local regions and have shown significant increases in sustained AF treatment in areas that were below the national average.

This initiative is part of the wider national AHSN AF programme which each of the 15 regional AHSNs have been delivering since 2017 in their local area. AF programme aims to encourage local health and care partners to provide more opportunities to detect AF and improve the management of the condition through promoting best practice for effective treatment.

To learn more about our AF programme, visit our AF webpage.