For people living with heart failure, leaving hospital can be an anxious time. The first few weeks after discharge are often when patients are most vulnerable and at greatest risk of becoming unwell again.

Through Bid for Better, Royal Surrey Charity has helped establish a new pharmacist-led heart failure clinic at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, giving patients faster access to specialist support when they need it most.

Before the clinic was introduced, patients could experience a delay before receiving specialist follow-up support after leaving hospital. Today, patients are seen within just 2-3 weeks of discharge, helping to identify concerns earlier, optimise treatment and reduce the risk of returning to hospital.

As part of the service, patients receive follow-up appointments with a specialist heart failure pharmacist who reviews their medication, answers questions and supports them through their recovery. Patients are also provided with simple monitoring equipment to use at home, allowing the heart failure team to keep track of important health measurements and spot signs that someone may be becoming unwell before their condition worsens.

One patient who benefited from the service said: "The monitoring device was easy to use, and the support from the pharmacist was very helpful. It made me feel confident and reassured throughout the process."

This additional support helps patients feel more reassured and confident after leaving hospital, knowing that specialist help is available and that any concerns can be identified and addressed quickly.

The impact has already been significant. Between June and December 2025, the clinic supported more than 130 patient appointments and reduced 28-day hospital readmissions from 24% to 15.7%. By helping patients stay well at home and avoiding unnecessary hospital stays, the project has also saved an estimated £30,000 that can be reinvested into patient care.

Cheryl Wood, Heart Failure Nurse at Royal Surrey, said:

"It is amazing to have a pharmacist within the heart failure team. This clinic provides a vital support point for patients who are recently discharged from hospital and an essential review of their medications at this vulnerable time in their journey. The team also benefits from the perspective that a pharmacist can bring to our team."

This project is one of many being funded through Bid for Better, Royal Surrey Charity’s Dragon’s Den-style initiative that funds innovative staff projects to enhance patient care. By backing projects like this, our supporters are helping introduce new technology, expand specialist services and improve care for patients across our hospitals and community.

Thank you for helping us bring better care, earlier support and greater peace of mind to patients and their families.