What is this service?

The Bristol Community Health Heart Failure Service is a nurse-led heart failure diagnostic service, which has been supporting local communities for a decade.

The team is based in Fishponds. Heart failure is a condition which is caused by the heart failing to pump enough blood around the body at the right pressure. For more information, visit NHS Choices.

What does this service offer?

Our service offers support for those who are living with heart failure. If you have already been diagnosed with heart failure, we can review how you are managing your condition through tests and symptom checks.

If you have been referred to our service for further checks of suspected heart failure, you can talk to a heart specialist who will assess your symptoms and run some tests, including a possible ultrasound called an echocardiogram. If there is a diagnosis of heart failure, a plan will be developed with you to optimise your tablets. The nurses may then support you with developing a management plan to help manage your condition. If there is not a diagnosis of heart failure, you will be referred back to your GP.

What do patients say about this service?

“The big difference with this service is the continuous high level of healthcare. I always feel reassured by them, and am able to lead more of a normal life,” Angela, patient. To read Angela’s story about her own journey with heart failure and her experience of our Heart Failure Service, click here.

To all of the wonderful nurses that have helped to look after my father. Cannot thank you enough for all of your care, support and understanding. Many, many thanks.

“My treatment was absolutely first rate and I can’t think of any way in which it could have been improved upon.”

Who is the service for?

Many different patients may be referred to our Heart Failure Service. You might:

• already have heart failure, but need a treatment review.
• already have heart failure and be showing worsening symptoms.
• have just been in hospital and advised that you have heart failure.
• have suspected heart failure as noted by your GP

If you are at all concerned or think we may be able to help you, make an appointment with your GP in the first instance.

How can I access this service?

Referral to this service is through your GP. This service will not take self-referrals. If you are concerned, please make an appointment with your GP in the first instance.
If you have been referred by your GP and would like some more information, or have some questions after being seen by one of our specialist nurses, you can call our team on:
Bristol and South Gloucestershire: 0117 908 2315 (Fishponds)

Key facts about our Heart Failure Service

In 2014, our Heart Failure Service turned 10 years old, and celebrated with an anniversary event, which you can read about here.

The service supports over 1200 patients across Bristol with heart conditions.

Are you a clinician that wants to refer to this service?

If you are a clinician or GP and wish to refer to this service, please see referral forms on the left hand side of this page.

Where the service is located