The charity is proud to announce that two leading NHS hospitals, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, have been awarded funding to appoint specialist Aortic Advanced Practitioners. These newly funded roles mark a major milestone for the charity and for aortic dissection care in the UK. It is the first time that positions of this kind have been funded through direct charitable investment, and it reflects our commitment to creating a permanent shift in how patients and families are supported throughout their journey with aortic dissection.
These roles will enhance the experience and outcomes of patients living with aortic dissection, a condition that requires lifelong follow-up and coordinated care. Each Aortic Advanced Practitioner will lead dedicated aortic clinics, support multidisciplinary team meetings, manage referrals and be a named point of contact for patients and their families. These positions have been created to both address clinical needs and to help patients feel seen, heard and supported in what is often a complex and frightening medical landscape.
A National Network for Every Centre
The charity’s long-term vision is to fund an Aortic Advanced Practitioner in every hospital that provides specialist treatment for aortic dissection across the UK. This is more than an aspiration. It is a clear, strategic plan to ensure fair access to care. Too often, the quality of follow-up care has depended on where a patient lives or which hospital they were treated in. By embedding these roles nationally, we hope to make high-quality, consistent care the standard, not the exception.
The response to our first round of funding has been overwhelmingly positive. We received a high volume of strong applications from NHS Trusts across the country. This shows that clinical leaders are ready to embrace this model and are eager to see dedicated roles embedded within their teams. We are pleased to confirm that we will run a second round of funding later this year, and we encourage all centres to consider applying.
Investing in Readiness
This investment is also about preparing the system for the future. The NHS Elective Toolkit for Aortic Dissection, due for rollout nationally, will provide clear guidance for the long term management of aortic dissection. It will set standards for imaging, surveillance, genetic testing and long-term follow-up. The charity played a leading role in bringing this toolkit to life, through sustained lobbying of national policymakers, including direct engagement with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. We are proud that the toolkit is now becoming a reality, and we are investing now to ensure that the NHS is ready to implement it effectively.
Specialist nurses will be essential to the success of the toolkit. Their coordination of care, communication with patients and expertise in the condition will ensure that the toolkit becomes a reality for those who need it most.
Backed by Knowledge
We know that being the first in a new role can be challenging. That’s why every nurse funded through this programme will be fully supported, not only through initial training and a structured three-year funding package, but also through ongoing peer engagement and professional development.
All Aortic Advanced Practitioners will become members of the TADCT Community of Practice, a professional network supporting clinicians in their specialist roles. This community meets regularly to share experiences, clinical insights, service improvements and new research. It also acts as a sounding board for challenges, ensuring that no nurse feels isolated in their work. The Community of Practice is led by experienced practitioners who understand the realities of aortic care and are committed to building a culture of learning, compassion and excellence.
This shared professional space allows us to maintain high standards nationally, learn from local innovations, and provide continuous improvement in care for patients and families.
Funded by a Community That Cares
This breakthrough has only been possible because of the commitment and generosity of our wider community. Every pound that went into these new nursing roles was raised by people who care deeply about changing the future of aortic dissection care.
We are especially grateful to the many patients and bereaved families who fundraised in honour of loved ones, some of whom did not receive the ongoing care they needed. Their determination to create a better path for others is the heart of everything we do.
We also extend our deepest thanks to Artivion, who brought together a team of surgeons and patients for a fundraising cycling tour of Mallorca, raising both money and awareness for the cause. Their commitment to supporting better care has made a direct impact.
Support has also come from across the country through Rotary and Social Clubs, whose members have taken up our cause in their local communities. And finally, we wish to acknowledge the incredible contribution of the Facebook group ‘Caribbean Cruise Excursions – You Save They Benefit’, whose thousands of members will together make a real difference to the lives of people with aortic dissection.
It is because of these fundraisers, both large and small, that we are now able to fund posts that will change lives and improve care.
Real Change, Built to Last
These first two posts are just the beginning. With more funding rounds to come, and the full support of our national network behind them, we are laying the foundations for a future in which every patient with aortic dissection has access to specialist care, regardless of postcode, background or diagnosis pathway.
We are building something long-term. Something transformative. And we are doing it together, with clinicians, patients, families, and funders united by the belief that better is not only possible, it is essential.
If you would like to support our next round of funding, or learn more about how your hospital can apply, please contact us directly. Together, we can shape a safer future.
