The success of an integrated care programme for patients with ischaemic heart disease: the practice nurses' perspective of SHIP

Follow-up care of patients with angina and myocardial infarction after hosp ital discharge is known to be suboptimal across the UK. The employment of cardiac liaison nurses ensured timely notification of hos pital discharge and good communication of each patient's current and planne d care. The direct ongoing support of the liaison nurse was valued by more practice nurses than educational support meetings and the initial counselling skill s course. The most important factor which enabled practice nurses to expand their rol e to provide post-hospital follow-up care was the support of the doctors in the practice. After the conclusion of the Southampton Heart Integrated Care Project (SHIP ) and the withdrawal of cardiac liaison nurses, the lack of hospital discha rge notification was the most important reason for practice nurses disconti nuing follow-up care.