The care of people with long-term conditions is a priority for the NHS. While
there are many strategies in place in primary care to support the management
of patients with long-term conditions, there is a paucity of services for people
who are housebound. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common cause
of death in the UK and costs more than £9 billion every year (British Heart
Foundation, 2012). This article describes a pilot project set up by a nurse, working
under an honourary contract within a general practice. The project’s aim was
to deliver a service, to housebound patients with CHD, which would provide an
annual review of their condition in the home. This pilot provided some justification
for the expansion of the service to all housebound patients who have a long-term
condition, ensuring that they receive the same equitable assessment, treatment and
health promotion advice afforded to those able to come into the practice. Some
of the findings from the patient visits are discussed and a case is made for the
expansion of the project beyond the pilot.
Key words: Coronary heart disease n Housebound patients n Quality and Outcomes
Framework n Patient annual review