title: The use of innovative methods designed to relieve social isolation in patients with chronic heart failure; volunteer befriending, forums and a newsletter.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Social isolation in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) is an adverse prognostic factor. This paper reports the creation of a supportive patient/carer network (Heart Failure Support Service), led by a voluntary sector/National Health Service (NHS) partnership which involved volunteer befriending, regular patient and carer forum and a newsletter.
  Over 3 years, 37 volunteers were 'befrienders' to over 50 individuals with CHF. A thorough training and matching process ensured that the first befriending visit was a positive experience. 100% of patients found the visits from the volunteer worthwhile and said they would recommend the service to other patients. Prior to the first patient-carer forum, 200 questionnaires were sent out with a 56% response rate, 44% of respondents believed that a forum and a newsletter would be valued. Over a period of 3 years, 12 quarterly meetings were held with an average attendance of 30-40 per meeting. The newsletter (current circulation >800 per quarter) contributed to self-management and encouraged communication between professionals and patients-carers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Heart Failure Support Service (volunteers, forum and newsletter) created a supportive patient-carer network and represents a successful voluntary sector/NHS partnership.
authors.affiliation: Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland, 65 North Castle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3LT, United Kingdom. louise.peardon@chss.org.uk
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peardon
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yellowlees
authors.forename: Rebekah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Donnell
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ness
authors.forename: Campbell
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chalmers
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Leslie
authors.forename: Martin A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Denvir
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D033062:Friends; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016730:Program Development; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom; D014838:Volunteers