Newsletter – February 2019

  • President’s Message
  • The AER Journal the official journal of the BHRS
  • IQIPS Position Statement
  • Fellow of the BHRS membership
  • IMPORTANT – Medical Device Alert FEB 19
  • GUIDELINE REVISION – Management of patients with CIEDs around the time of surgery
  • The BHRS 2019 Survey
  • An Arrhythmia Nurse Update
  • The BHRS Website, Communications and Social Media
  • February ECG/EGM Challenge
  • Support Cardiac Physiologists STP programme(BHRS member opportunities)
  • NEW Allied Health Professional Council
  • Courses, Events and Exam
  • 2019 BHRS Council Elections
  • LATEST Council Meeting Minutes

President’s Message

It’s been a great honour to serve you as President of the BHRS for the last two years. This is the beginning of my final year as president and I would like to encourage all of those interested and qualified, regardless of your professional status, to consider applying for this exciting and rewarding role.
In the last two years we’ve seen a number of changes including the recent collaboration with the arrhythmia electrophysiology review, the official journal of the BHRS (see the links below). This collaboration will give us opportunities to have articles, guidelines and case studies published in an excellent journal which is widely read, with quality submissions exposed to a wide audience which will raise the profile of the society. I would encourage you to consider submitting your cases and traces to us or directly to the journal.
Reform of our membership fees has improved equality within the BHRS. I am pleased to announce that Eleri Roberts a consultant physiologist in Manchester will being taking on the position of honorary secretary from Alistair Slade later this year. I would like to personally thank Alistair for the incredible work he has done to keep us on track and in reforming the membership process from admission only a few times a year to “real time” review and acceptance.
Andrew Turley who has been leading the BHRS exam has done an incredible job and the exam remains one of our most important membership benefits. He has decided to step down this year so I would like to wish him well and thank him for his great leadership over the last few years.
Our nurse leaders have now established a busy and vibrant forum and this is proving a great source of support and education for the specialist arrhythmia nurse community. We are still seeing small numbers of nurses taking the BHRS exam, but as our members become aware of the fact that the exam can form a significant part of an MSc we hope that these numbers will grow.
Lastly I would like to thank Trudie Lobban and her team for their continued support of the society and we hope that our friendly and productive collaboration with the Arrhythmia Alliance will continue to flourish for many years to come.
Please do remind colleagues of the benefits of BHRS membership, reduced registration for Heart Rhythm Congress, access to travel grants from EHRA, members only content on our website and coming soon industry grants for attending congresses exclusively to BHRS members. We hope to be able to tell you more about these and other innovations both within the minutes of our council meetings published online, our website and at the next heart rhythm congress and BHRS annual general meeting. I look forward to seeing you there.
Richard Schilling – BHRS President

The Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology Review (AER), the official journal of the BHRS
The AER Winter issue is now available to view and has a foreword written by BHRS president Richard Schilling which describes the journals aims, intentions, has suggested recommended reading to those new to the journal and provides details of the BHRS and AER collaboration.
To access the winter issue, click the link below
To download the journal as a pdf or to access previous editions you will need to register and create an account with Radcliffe Cardiology
BHRS members are encouraged to submit articles to the journal. For author guidelines visit

IQIPS Position Statement

The BHRS has published a short postion statement supporting Improving Quality in Physiological Services (IQIPS) accrediatation. To view the statement click here .

Fellow of the BHRS (FBHRS)

The BHRS has created a fellow of the BHRS (FBHRS) membership to recognise the accomplishments and impact of individuals in the field of cardiac rhythm management. Fellowship confirms an individual’s position as a leading professional and confers recognition amongst peers. Last year in October nine honorary fellows were selected by a subcommittee of council members and presented with their award at the Heart Rhythm Congress. Honorary fellow status was awarded to;
  1. Professor John Camm
  2. Dr Richard Charles
  3. Dr Wyn Davis
  4. Dr Stephen Furniss
  5. Sue Jones
  6. Dr Janet McComb
  7. Professor John Morgan
  8. Dr Edward Rowland
  9. Professor Richard Sutton
As of this year BHRS members will have the opportunity to nominate and apply for fellow of the BHRS (FBHRS) membership. Eligibility criteria, full guidelines and the application form will be posted on the BHRS website soon.

IMPORTANT – Medical Device Alert FEB2019

Many of you will be aware of a field safety notice released by Medtronic in mid January this year. The issue has led to a medical device alert being issued by the MHRA. To see the MDA and FSN follow the links below.

GUIDELINE REVISION

Management of Patients with CIEDs around the time of surgery

The MHRA have identified the potential risk of interference between magnetic drapes / pads and CIEDs when put in close proximity during surgical intervention. An initial investigation found that precautionary warning messages were not included on any of the magnetic drape/pad packaging or instructions used in centres. The MHRA have worked with key magnetic drape manufacturers so that these products now include warnings, in the form of text or symbols in their instructions or labelling.
On discussion with the MHRA, the BHRS felt it was appropriate to make a small revision to the management of patients with CIEDs around the time of surgery guidelines. A short paragraph and a reference has been added to page 7 highlighting this issue to healthcare professionals to minimise the risks for patients with CIEDs.

The BHRS 2019 Survey

BHRS is keen to support the improvement of cardiac rhythm management (CRM) services throughout the UK to provide for expert and timely treatment of patients with arrhythmias.
Little information is known about current CRM provision and practice in centres across the UK where cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) are inserted and/or electrophysiology (EP) studies & ablation are performed.
The scope of the survey is to gather data for analysis which will allow for:
  • Improved access to heart rhythm specialists, physiologists and arrhythmia nurse specialists
  • Better provision for patients needing complex device implantation or ablation
  • Timely treatment for patients requiring emergency, or urgent, device implantation or ablation
Data collection will be by questionnaire distributed by email to the Lead Cardiologist for CRM Devices & Arrhythmia at all NHS Trust and private hospital in England & Wales.
Results will be shared with the BHRS membership when available

Arrhythmia Nurse Update

With the decision last year to increase the number of physiologist and nurses on the BHRS council we are delighted to announce that Sarah Clarke, Arrhythmia Nurse Specialist from Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital has been co-opted to the BHRS council as the 3rd nurse representative. A formal election will be held for nurse representation later this year where we hope Sarah and others will stand for election.
The arrhythmia nurse forum is proving to be a valuable peer support link with over 80 names on the list. The arrhythmia nurse section of the website is also developing with several guidelines, protocols and presentations available to members. If you would like to join the forum or have materials to share on the website please email Angela Hall An.Hall@health.gov.je

Arrhythmia Nurse Exam

We have received enquiries about sitting the BHRS exam and would like to encourage more nurses to consider sitting the certification. BHRS certification is recognised at Masters’ Level.
Candidates who successfully complete the BHRS Certificate will be able to gain exemption from the module ‘Arrhythmia Management’ (AHH4002-N) at Teesside University (30 credits at Masters Level) and thus transfer these credits into the following programmes:
  • MSc Advanced Clinical Practice
  • MSc Nursing
  • PG Dip Surgical Care Practitioner
Arrhythmia Nurse Survey results
A survey was sent out to the arrhythmia nurse forum to gain information on arrhythmia nurses across the UK. A third of people responded (30/90). It was found that there are a total of 8 different job titles for nurse specialists in an arrhythmia role with the most common at 78% ‘Arrhythmia Nurse Specialist’
  • 72% of respondents are grade 7
  • The highest qualification held is a Masters with 47% having this
  • 69% of respondents are non-medical prescribers
  • 50% are BHRS members but only 10% have taken the BHRS exam

BHRS Website, Communications and Social Media

The BHRS Website continues to be updated with new content monthly. The latest updates include new shared operational policies in the members only section. If you have forgot your login or membership number plea se email admin@bhrs.com .
The society is becoming more active in using social media channels to disseminate information to members and the wider community in addition to promoting opportunities to members.
We would encourage members to keep up to date by joining us on Twitter and Facebook and would appreciate your support through retweeting and sharing links to grow our social media presence.

February ECG/EGM Challenge

Can you choose the correct answer to Februarys EGM Challenge?
Pre-syncope during exercise in a patient with a permanent pacemaker and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Click here to view
Do you have an interesting case and trace?
Please consider contributing to this web feature. It provides a great opportunity to share experiences and learning with the membership and can be used to show CPD.
For more details please contact Jason Collinson vi a email jason.collinson@btuh.nhs.uk

Support Cardiac Physiologist STP Programme

(BHRS member opportunities)

Station Writers and Assessors Needed for the STP OSFAs
The National School of Healthcare Sciences are looking for CRM cardiac physiologists interested in the opportunity to become OSFA station writers and assessors for the STP OSFAs. This is a great opportunity to help develop and support the cardiac physiologist workforce.
Please email Jason Collinson, BHRS council member and lead station writer for the STP CRM OSFAs at jason.collinson@btuh.nhs.uk for more details.
STP Cardiac Sciences Curriculum Review
The NSHCS are preparing to review the content of all Healthcare Science training programmes and are asking for expressions of interest to help contribute to this piece of work. If you would like to help do this and represent BHRS and CRM interests please email admin@bhrs.com with your details. There is also a short expression of interest form to fill in which can be found h erehttps://healtheducationyh.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/curriculum-review-eoi

New Allied Health Professional (AHP) Council

The British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) have formed a new allied health professional council with representation from the BHRS, BSE, SCST and BCIS. One of the aims of the council is to promote the role of cardiac physiologists/cardiac healthcare scientists within Cardiology.
BHRS Council member Eleri Gregory and BHRS member Parisha Khan will be representing the BHRS interests on the council. The BHRS will keep members updated on progress and would be interested to hear your views and opinions which can be sent to admin@bhrs.com wi th the subject title BCS AHP council.

Courses, Events and Exam

Radcliffe Cardiology Academy FREE Live Webinar
Simplifying the mapping and ablation of atrial tachycardia: a four step plan
Prof Richard Schilling and Dr Afzal Sohaib
Thursday 7 th March 2019 10.00 EST / 15.00 GMT
BHRS Multicentre Trials Group Spring Meeting
Tuesday 2 nd April 2019
Barts Heart Centre, London 9.30am – 4.00pm
2nd Translational Electrophysiology Symposium
Monday 17 th June 2019
Barts Heart Centre, London 9.00am – 5.30pm
BHRS Exam Summer Revision Day
Saturday 29 th June 2019
Manchester Royal Infirmary
BHRS Exam
HRC, Birmingham
Sunday 6 th October
Heart Rhythm Congress 2019
Birmingham
Sunday 6 th – Wednesday 9 th October
Click here to review the latest Events and Courses

2019 BHRS Council News – Elections

BHRS Council has been actively considering the composition of Council. We have recently expanded the number of physiologist and nurse representatives which is indicative of the huge amount of work being done by these professions on Council and the increasingly important role these groups have in delivering arrhythmia patient care. We also now have formal physician representation from Wales and are actively seeking a representative from Scotland.
We have considered that Council can be perceived as London centred in terms of its composition and also that the physician representatives are almost exclusively involved in ablation work and of male gender. This year will see a large number of council seats become available providing members the opportunity to stand for election including a president elect, 3 doctor, 3 physiologist and 3 nurse specialist positions.
To address th is perception and composition of Council further it has been agreed that at least one of the physician seats will be allocated to a physician from a non-ablating centre. We would also strongly encourage our female physician members to stand for election and hopefully anticipate the membership will support moving towards a more balanced Council.
We plan to start the election process in May/June this year, with more details to follow soon. When being nominated or when voting, members will require their membership number to do so. Please have this to hand or alternatively email admin@bhrs.com for a reminder.
I encourage members to stand for election to help with developing the BHRS and look forward to seeing a large number of candidates.
Alistair Slade – BHRS Honorary Secretary

LATEST Council Meeting Minutes

Council Meeting Minutes from 12 nd December 2018
Council Meeting Minutes from 7 th February 2018
See what your council discuss and debate on your behalf. We welcome any comments about the minutes and action points which we can then take back to Council. Please send these via email to admin@BHRS.com

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