We recognise that primary care physicians are its important partners in providing quality care to the patients and would like to work closely with them to bring forth integrated, prompt and effective treatment care to the patients. With this in mind, we have set in place two partnership programmes:-
Heart Care Programme and General Practitioners Empowerment Programme (GPEP) to facilitate the collaboration. |
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Primary care physicians are our valuable partners in the management of patients with heart disease. The Heart Care Programme is developed to enhance the collaboration between National Heart Centre and the primary care physicians to provide quality cardiac care for the patients. This is provided through the following key initiatives:
- Fast-track Appointments. Giving priority specialist appointments to new patients with suspected heart disease within 1-2 days.
- Cardiologist Access. Allowing the GP to discuss cases referred to National Heart Centre with the cardiologist concerned through email or phone.
- Heart Care Training. Organising practical and GP-focused CME programmes on a regular basis.
- Patient Education. Educating patients through regular public talks and dissemination of patient education materials on how to recognise symptoms, when to seek medical help, the importance of health lifestyle and risk factor control and medication.
- Shared Care between primary care physicians and National Heart Centre. In the long term, we foresee greater levels of collaboration between the GP and National Heart Centre doctors in the care of patients, with much of the management and follow-up being appropriately handled at a primary care level for less complex cases with the opportunity for consultation and rapid access as needed.
Benefits of the Heart Care Programme
- Rapid access for patients with suspected heart disease to see a cardiologist at National Heart Centre
- Access to the cardiologists to discuss the management of patients.
- Regular updates and practical CME on the management of heart disease through mailers or CME courses.
- More patients with stable conditions will follow up at your clinic for risk factors management.
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The GPEP is a SingHealth initiative which aims to facilitate development of strong professional relationships between SingHealth hospitals and GPs. The features of the programme include the SingHealth Affiliated GP scheme, direct ward referrals and fast track specialist outpatient appointments. For more information, please click GPEP
Besides these two programmes, NHC will also be organising regular GP symposiums which we hope will contribute towards the professional enrichment of our GP and primary healthcare partners.
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