CVD Academy

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 AF, 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. 

 

The Academy will commence in November 2023 and complete in September 2024 and will include: 

• 3 face-to-face half day sessions:
  • Launch of programme 
  • Mid programme session on implementing change  
  • End of programme event 
• Enabling change: 3 virtual sessions including held during lunchtimes for 60-90 minutes focussed on implementing change with topics to be defined in response to participants’ learning needs, session could include:
  • Behaviour change 
  • Measurement/data collection  
  • Leadership/influencing  
  • Human Factors  
  • PPI/co-designing  
  • Conflict resolution and assertiveness   
• Clinical best practice: 4 virtual sessions held during lunchtimes for 60-90 minutes.  These will include dedicated time with an expert panel to respond to any specific queries around management of CVD in patients and participants have the option to bring a patient case for discussion.  Content will include:
  • Atrial Fibrillation 
  • Hypertension  
  • Cholesterol 
  • CKD 
• Learning from each other and building a peer network:
  • Group coaching sessions – every quarter held virtually (1 hour)  
  • Community of practice –every 2 months held virtually (1 hour)  

Participants will be expected to attend at least 75% of sessions and dedicate a minimum of 4-5 hours per month to the progress of their project.  

Download the schedule of dates.

• Tuesday 7 November 2023: Launch of UCLPartners CVD Academy 
• Thursday 12 September 2024 – End of programme shared learning event & poster presentations

Please read the information for participants

Frequently Asked Questions  

Q. What is the aim of the CVD Academy? 

A. The aim of the CVD Academy is to provide primary care clinicians with the knowledge, skills and networks to be able to lead and implement innovation that will reduce heart attacks, strokes and other forms of cardiovascular disease. 

Q. What will I get from the Academy? 

Benefits of joining the Academy include: 

• Gain knowledge and transferable skills on how to lead change and innovation projects.  
• Update knowledge on management of cardiovascular conditions (AF, hypertension, high cholesterol, CKD). 
• Gain CPD (clinical content is pending accreditation by CPD UK). 

• Engage and build relationships with others in order to share perspectives, be curious about differences and build a network of peers. 
• Access to a range of excellent speakers and professionals 

Q.   Is there a cost to join the Academy? 

A. There is no cost to join the Academy. 

Q.  Will I be backfilled/ receive payment for participation in the CVD Academy? 

A. No, there is no backfill/payment available for joining this programme. 

Q. I have accessibility issues, how will these be managed? 

A. UCLPartners will work with you to ensure that the venues for the in-person sessions are accessible and will support you where we can. Please contact us on cvdacademy@uclpartners.com to let us know about specific support requirements.  

Q. How long does the CVD Academy last? 

A. The programme will last 11 months, from November 2023 to September 2024. 

Q. Is the CVD Academy CPD accredited? 

A. CPD accreditation for the clinical sessions is currently pending approval. The content of the non-clinical sessions will also be submitted to CPD UK after the programme for CPD accreditation. 

Applicant eligibility  

Q. My role is not listed in the Information for Applicants, am I eligible? 

A. This programme is currently only open to GPs, pharmacists and nurses working in primary care.  

Q I’m a junior primary care professional, can I still apply? 

A. Yes, we do not have a requirement for applicants to have been qualified for a certain number of years. However, we ask that all applicants have authorisation from their line  

manager to participate in this programme and to confirm that you will be supported to complete a transformation project in their place of work.   

Q. What do participants need to consider before applying? 

A. Each participant will need to ensure they: 

• Can attend the sessions (dates are published here [insert link]). 

• Have, or are willing, to take on a CVD prevention project/ innovation as part of the CVD Academy. 
• Have the support from a senior colleague for you to make time for Academy sessions and for leading your project. 

Q. What if our GP Practice is small and we cannot release staff to attend?  

A. Sessions have been planned, in the main, for lunch times to make it as convenient as possible to attend.  The majority of sessions are also virtual so there is little need for travel times. Academy participants are asked to commit to joining the sessions (dates and times are published here). A minimum requirement to be eligible to join and complete the Academy is to ensure 75% of sessions are attended. 

Q. Will we be working with other practices/ PCNs?  

A. Yes! The CVD Academy is open to primary care colleagues from NCL, NEL and MSE to enable a collaborative approach to learning, collective problem-solving and peer mentoring for your project.   

Q. What will my practice/ PCN get out of taking part? 

A. The aim is to increase your capability and skills to lead and implement change projects and innovations that will reduce mortality from heart attacks, strokes and other forms of cardiovascular disease.   Organisations will:  

• Be able to work towards QOF targets via implementation of the change project.  

• 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.  

Q. What kind of projects would I work on? 

A. 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. Atrial Fibrillation (AF), hypertension, cholesterol or CKD. The project could be one that the applicant is already working on or a project that you would like to start with the support of the Academy.  The UCLPartners team can support you to identify a suitable project.  Examples of potential projects include implementation of a lipids pathway or a data approach to identify patients at risk of CVD e.g. CVDACTION.  

We would like a range of transformation projects being implemented throughout the duration of this programme and we encourage applications from those interested in CVD prevention through management of atrial fibrillation, hypertension, high cholesterol or chronic kidney disease. We are looking for at least eight projects focusing on AF. 

We would also like to hear from applicants who are currently implementing or would like to implement one of the UCLPartners innovations e.g., CVDACTION, Proactive Care Frameworks.   

Q. How can someone register interest in applying? 

A. If you would like to apply, please complete the application form. 

Interviews and selection 

Q. When will I find out if I’ve been shortlisted for interview? 

A. You will receive an email by Friday 6^th October, confirming whether you have been invited to interview.   

Q. I wasn’t shortlisted for interview, can I get feedback on my application? 

A. Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we receive, we don’t generally provide feedback at the application stage. 

Q. I can’t make any of the interview dates that have been advertised, can I attend on a different date? 

A. Unfortunately not. We will be interviewing lots of candidates over the three dates and making a final decision shortly after these.  

Q. Can I pick a specific interview date? 

A. Possibly. Please let us know when you submit your application if there are any interview dates that you cannot attend, and we will do our best to accommodate all requests. It will be on a first come first served basis.  

Q. I still have more questions how can I find out more? 

A. Please register to join us at our CVD Academy information webinar on Tuesday 12^th September 1-2pm to find out more. Alternatively, please email us   cvdacademy@uclpartners.com.