Our Impact

Advocating for Faster Treatment

Back in 2015, we initiated a Change.org petition calling for improved diagnosis and education of aortic dissection. This collective voice led to a meeting with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. As a result, the NHS began rolling out the Acute Aortic Dissection Toolkit, a vital resource aimed at expediting treatment.

Soon, this toolkit will expand to cover aftercare as well – a significant step forward that will provide essential support in managing risk factors, mental well-being, lifestyle advice, and family screening. These components are crucial for everyone affected by AD.

Addressing the Diagnosis Gap

Our recent study spanning 143 NHS trusts across England, Scotland, and Wales uncovered a concerning fact: less than half had dedicated guidelines or training in their emergency departments for aortic dissection. This highlights a critical gap in diagnosis. While we’ve faced challenges in achieving policy change in this area, we remain steadfast in our efforts because it’s a vital piece of the puzzle.

To tackle this issue head-on, we’ve been delivering numerous educational sessions to current paramedics, first responders, and paramedic trainees. Our goal is clear – to ensure better recognition and quicker diagnosis of aortic dissection.

Supporting Research and Aftercare

Aortic dissection is often catastrophic, but with advancements in research and proper follow-up care, it can become more manageable. We fund research through grants made possible by our wonderful community. Collaborating with the National Institute for Health and Care Research, we work tirelessly to improve outcomes for patients. Our strong Patient and Public Involvement ensures that the patient’s voice is always at the heart of what we do.

Empowering Through Accessible Resources

We understand that people engage best with bite-sized online content like videos and audio. That’s why we’ve developed patient support materials – created by patients for patients and approved by medical experts – to offer guidance and comfort. For healthcare professionals, we’ve collaborated with leading experts to produce resources covering every aspect of the patient and treatment pathway. These tools aim to enhance knowledge and improve care for those affected by aortic dissection.