CVD Academy: Information for applicants
Deadline extended to Sunday 24 November 11pm, apply here or send an expression of interest to cvdacademy@uclpartners.com
Introduction
UCLPartners CVD Academy has been launched to support primary care-based clinicians deliver transformation projects aimed at reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Up to 30 GPs, pharmacists and nurses will be supported via the year long CVD Academy to implement CVD projects in their locality. Whilst on the Academy, participants can expect to:
- Develop their skills and expertise in leading change and innovation projects
- Update their knowledge on CVD prevention
- Build and learn from a community of peers
Boehringer Ingelheim have provided funding towards the CVD Academy. Boehringer Ingelheim has had no editorial input into or influence on the programme’s agenda or content including any speaker selection.
What does the Academy involve?
Why cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes a quarter of all deaths in the UK and is a major driver of health inequalities, accounting for a quarter of the life expectancy gap between deprived and affluent communities. It is also very preventable, not just through behaviour change to reduce lifestyle risk factors, but also by optimising treatment in high-risk conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
UCLPartners focuses on tackling the biggest health challenges our local communities are experiencing. One such challenge is CVD prevention.
What is the CVD Academy?
UCLPartners CVD Academy is a programme aimed at supporting clinicians to deliver transformation in primary care by guiding them through the stages needed to implement innovations in practice. This programme, sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim, focuses on CVD prevention and will support individuals to implement their own CVD-related project. Participants will also receive latest clinical information on the management of diabetes, hypertension, raised cholesterol and chronic kidney disease.
This free programme is open to GPs, pharmacists and nurses working in North Central London (NCL), North-East London (NEL) and Mid&South Essex (MSE). It will include a combination of community of practice meetings and webinars covering clinical and non-clinical content to develop knowledge and a practical focus on implementing change. Please note that this is not a clinical programme but primarily focuses on the skillset required to lead change. There will also be 4 in-person sessions. (Backfill is not provided by the CVD Academy).
Project information
Participants are expected to work on a CVD prevention focused project whilst on the Academy. Projects need to be focused on CVD risk factors e.g. diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol or CKD. The project could be one that you are already working on or a project that you would like to start with the support of the Academy. The UCLPartners team can help you identify a suitable project. Examples of potential projects include implementation of a lipid’s pathway or a new data approach to identify patients at risk of CVD e.g. CVDACTION. All projects should have a focus on how to reduce health inequalities in the cohort of patients most affected by that condition.
We would like to support a range of transformation projects via the CVD Academy and we encourage applications from those interested in CVD prevention through management of:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Chronic kidney disease
We would also like to hear from applicants who are currently implementing or would like to implement one of the UCLPartners innovations for example, CVDACTION or the Proactive Care Frameworks.
What can you expect from the CVD Academy?
By the end of the programme, we envisage participants will have:
- Gained the knowledge and skills to lead and implement innovations to reduce deaths from heart attacks and strokes.
- Built a network of professionals who can peer-learn, share best practice and collectively problem-solve.
- Become a group of experts who can help shape and lead CVD related innovations of the future.
What is covered?
The CVD Academy will cover 2 main aspects:
- How to lead and implement innovations to reduce deaths from heart attacks and strokes.
- Up to date clinical information on CVD prevention in type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and chronic kidney disease in line with national guidance.
Sessions will mostly be delivered virtually during 60–90-minute lunchtime slots however there will be 4 face-to-face sessions which all participants are expected to attend.
Benefits
Participants will be able to:
- Gain knowledge and transferable skills on how to lead change.
- Update knowledge on management of cardiovascular conditions (diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, CKD)
- Include this programme as part of their CPD
- Engage and build relationships with others in order to share perspectives, be curious about differences and build a network of peers
- Gain an understanding of UCLPartners existing innovations, including the Proactive Care Frameworks and CVDACTION
Organisations will:
- Gain insight into new ways of working.
- Reduce the risk of morbidity and mortality for patients with CVD.
- Be well placed to implement future innovations.
Eligibility criteria
Applicants should be registered as a GP, pharmacist or nurse working in NCL, NEL or MSE with an interest in cardiovascular disease prevention. All applicants should either be working on a project focusing on CVD prevention in type 2 diabetes, BP, cholesterol or CKD or have an idea for a project that can be initiated and worked on throughout the duration of the Academy. It is important that the theory taught within the programme is utilised on a specific project to ensure the knowledge and skills are embedded and any potential barriers to change are addressed.
Successful applicants will be asked to complete pre-work before the programme which should take no more than 2 hours.
30 places are available and we will aim to appoint around 10 participants per ICS.
Structure
The Academy will commence in January 2025 and complete in December 2025 and will include:
- 4x face-to-face sessions:
- Launch of programme
- Session at approximately 3 months and 6 months
- End of programme event
- Enabling change: virtual sessions including held during lunchtimes for 60-90 minutes focussed on implementing change, sessions will include:
- Behaviour change
- Evaluation design
- Leadership
- Patient engagement
- Clinical best practice: 4x virtual sessions held during lunchtimes for 60-90 minutes. These will include dedicated time with an expert to respond to any queries around management of CVD in patients. Content will include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- Cholesterol
- CKD
- Learning from each other and building a peer network:
- Community of practice sessions
Time Commitment
Participants will be expected to attend at least 75% of sessions to obtain a certificate at the end of the programme and dedicate a minimum of 5-6 hours per month to the progress of their project.
How to apply
- Please read the FAQs and ensure you meet the eligibility criteria
- Complete the application form or send an expression of interest to cvdacademy@uclpartners.com Deadline extended to Sunday 24 November, 11pm.
Key Dates
Recruitment
| Date | Activity |
| Thursday 10 October 2024 | Applications open |
| Tuesday 15 October 12.30 – 1.30pm | CVD Academy webinar with further information (for interested applicants) |
| Monday 18 November 2024 11.00pm | Deadline for applications |
| Wednesday 20 November 2024 | Shortlisted applicants notified of interview |
| Monday 25 November – Friday 29 November | Interviews take place (virtually via teams) |
| W/c Monday 2 December 2024 | Successful applicants notified |
CVD Academy session dates
| Date | Subject | Venue |
| Thursday 30 January 2025 9:30 – 3pm | Launch Event | UCLPartners office (In-person event) |
| Wednesday 5 March 12 – 1:30pm | Hypertension management | Virtual |
| Thursday 3 April 12 – 1:30pm | Behaviour Management | Virtual |
| Thursday 15 May 9:30 – 1:30pm | Patient Engagement and Community of Practice | UCLPartners office (In-person event) |
| Wednesday 28 May 12 – 1:30pm | Evaluation Design | Virtual |
| Wednesday 18 June 12 – 1:30pm | CKD management | Virtual |
| Wednesday 9 July 12 – 1:30pm | Cholesterol management | Virtual |
| Thursday 31 July 12 – 1:30pm | Type 2 Diabetes management | Virtual |
| Wednesday 10 September 9:30 – 1:30pm | Working with private companies | UCLPartners office (In-person event) |
| Tuesday 30 September 12 – 1:30pm | Influence at work | Virtual |
| Thursday 16 October 12 – 1:30pm | Leadership | Virtual |
| Thursday 30 October 12 – 1:30pm | Open session Q+A on posters | Virtual |
What is UCLPartners?
UCLPartners is a membership organisation of 18 NHS trusts, 6 universities and 3 Integrated Care Systems serving a population of 5.2 million people across North Central London (NCL), North-East London (NEL) and parts of Mid and South Essex (MSE). Our mission is to help people live healthier lives by accelerating research and innovation into practice.
Our mission is to help people live longer, healthier lives through research and innovation. Working in partnership, we solve the biggest health challenges facing our communities. The breadth of expertise within the UCLPartners umbrella, alongside its regional, national, and international networks, bring significant benefits to collaborators across the research and innovation pipeline – discovery, evaluation, adoption and spread. UCLPartners brings together universities, NHS, industry and third sector collaborators to drive innovation into practice.