The University of Glasgow is helping in the fight against heart disease with the appointment of a unique nursing lectureship.

Susan Kennedy is the first British Heart Foundation Lecturer in Cardiac Care - the only such post funded by the BHF in the UK.

Susan will bring her experience both of teaching and researching cardiovascular disease as well as her practical skills of managing patients with heart disease both in general practice and hospital to her new role.

Susan said: "Glasgow University has a strong record in coronary care and this post is another piece of the jigsaw.

"I will be helping to educate a new generation of health care professionals who are going to make a real difference to the quality of life for thousands of cardiac patients in the coming years.

"The role of nurses in treating patients who have had heart problems is increasingly important. Advances in both understanding and technology means that nurses and other health care professionals have a much greater role to play.

"Heart care nurses can provide highly specialised care to patients by carrying out procedures which a few years ago would have had to have been performed by doctors.

"Now these treatments can often be applied by a nurse with the right training.

"Having nursing staff with this expertise is vitally important in Scotland. It is an unfortunate fact that we have one of the worst heart disease records in Europe.

"By having well-trained cardiac nurses and Allied Healthcare Professionals both in hospital and the community, we can help in the fight to prevent heart disease.

"Cardiac nurses can also assist with patients in the home by carrying out drug monitoring and supervision of patients. It is well known that patients appreciate nursing staff, and by giving them this level of highly specialised care, we can improve their experience at what can be a very stressful time for them.

Another aspect of the role is to support and develop a research programme about how best to deliver effective cardiac care.

"It is fantastic the BHF are funding this post and it shows their commitment to cardiac care. It's a great initiative to help develop a highly skilled workforce."

Dr Mike Knapton, Director of Prevention and Care, BHF says: "It's a sad fact that heart and circulatory disease is Scotland's biggest killer. Susan will help equip nurses with the vital skills they need to treat people suffering from heart disease.

"I am delighted the BHF has supported this appointment. With more funding we can help pioneer more projects like this that help improve patient care."

Ray McHugh (r.mchugh@admin.gla.ac.uk)

For more information or to speak to Maureen Kennedy, please contact Ray McHugh, Media Relations, University of Glasgow on 0141 330 3535 or email r.mchugh@gla.ac.uk or the BHF press office on 020 7487 7172 or 07764 290 381 (out of office hours) or email newsdesk@ bhf.org.uk.

The University of Glasgow is one of the United Kingdom?s oldest and most prestigious universities, with an international reputation for its research and teaching and an important role in the cultural and commercial life of the country.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is leading the battle against heart and circulatory disease, Scotland?s biggest killer. The charity is a major funder and authority in cardiovascular research. It plays an important role in funding education, both of the public and of health professionals, and in providing life-saving cardiac equipment and support for rehabilitation and care.

For more information on the BHF, visit www.bhf.org.uk

First published: 11 April 2007