A new digitally-enhanced service for people with heart failure is to be trialled in Greater Manchester, where around 1,000 patients’ data from existing implantable devices will be used to transform care and better meet their needs.

The move is underpinned by government funding channelled through Health Data Research UK (HDR UK), which announced that ten innovative data solutions are to receive a share of £3 million following a UK-wide competition, with £338,000 being allocated to Greater Manchester.

The investment will help build on the existing heart failure and device service at Manchester Heart Centre, Manchester Royal Infirmary, where around 1,000 patients already have an implantable device such as a pacemaker or defibrillator which captures information about their health.

Health Innovation Manchester has already developed the heart failure project through an innovative partnership between Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Manchester, global medical devices company Medtronic and clinical trials specialists North West EHealth.

Prof Ben Bridgewater, chief executive of Health Innovation Manchester, commented: “We are maximising the benefits of digital technology to deliver 21st century healthcare to the 21st century patient, which can only be delivered through a collaboration between the NHS, academia and industry.

"This is precisely what Health Innovation Manchester was set up to do, further strengthened by our uniquely devolved health and social care system, digital capabilities and life sciences cluster. Once tested, we will seek to adopt and spread the model so that all patients with heart failure benefit.”

In one year alone, 4,330 admissions to hospitals in Greater Manchester were related to heart failure with treatment costing more than £17 million, emphasising the need for better understanding and support for the patient to manage their condition.