Issued by the Heart Rhythm Alliance: NHS Highland has been recognised globally at the Palace of Westminster, London, UK, as a Centre of Excellence for a common yet difficult to manage heart rhythm condition.
Debbie Du Preez, Cardiac Arrhythmia Nurse with NHS Highland, has received this prestigious award in recognition of her pioneering work for Rapid Access Nurse Led Atrial Fibrilation (AF) Clinic.
AF is the most common type of arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm disorder) worldwide, affecting about 2–4% of all adults. It causes significant mortality and morbidity, with the risk of AF-related stroke being the greatest concern. If not receiving anticoagulation therapy, a person is five times more likely to have a stroke than someone without AF. Furthermore, AF-related strokes are more often debilitating and fatal than strokes of other causes. Also, as AF can be asymptomatic, many people do not discover that they have AF until they have had an AF-related stroke.
Debbie Du Preez said: “We are thrilled to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence and for our work to qualify as AF Healthcare Pioneers. To know that our work can be shared with others to improve outcomes for patients makes us very proud.”
Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder and CEO of AF Association, said: “Congratulations to 2023 AF Healthcare Pioneers for their outstanding work to improve care and quality of life for people with AF. This report needs to be shared so that it will inspire healthcare professionals to explore new approaches for detecting and managing AF leading to reduced number of AF-related strokes and improved quality of life for all those living with AF.”