A SOUTHEND hospital medical team has been praised for being ahead of its time in managing blood clots which cause strokes.

A multidisciplinary healthcare team dedicated to managing blood clots have been praised for their work by the judging panel of a national quality awards.

The Quality in Care Anticoagulation programme 2015 held an event at London’s Royal College of General Practitioners on September 10, and the South East Essex Atrial Fibrillation group was highly commended for its good practice with anticoagulation management, education and patient care.

Colleagues from Southend Hospital’s stroke, cardiology, clinical pharmacy, haematology and anticoagulation services form part of the group alongside commissioners, and colleagues from primary care.

Anticoagulation is a therapy field that involves the prevention and treatment of blood clots. It covers a range of conditions, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, atrial fibrillation and endocarditis.

Commenting on the group’s success, the judging panel, said: “This work is sustainable and has great patient feedback. The team proved to be ahead of their time by being early adopters of a community-based approach to patients.

"It manages to pull lots of different strands together and really maximised the levels of support that could be offered to patients.

Formed in 2010 the South East Essex Atrial Fibrillation group’s achievements include reviewing local arrangements for use of antithrombotic therapies in atrial fibrillation. It has also provided education explaining how the use of aspirin should be avoided for stroke prevention.

The group also delivered a novel anticoagulants clinic, enabling patients to be actively involved in decisions about their anticoagulant treatment options.

Gaining recognition through QiC Anticoagulation Programme means an initiative has been highlighted by the NHS, patients and industry as improving patient outcomes and standards of care in the treatment and prevention of blood clots.

Sue Hardy, chief executive at Southend Hospital, said: “We are delighted that the hard work and high quality care of the atrial fibrillation team has been recognised in the national arena and that we are able to share the good practice here to benefit patients elsewhere in the country.