Heart Failure Clinic
Private Heart Failure Care in Kent & London
Overview - What is heart failure? - Advantages of our HF clinic - Diagnostics - Rapid treatment
Device therapy - Multidisciplinary team - FAQs
Overview
Our heart failure clinic offers rapid, comprehensive and personalised care for patients with suspected or confirmed heart failure. We provide expert private heart failure diagnosis, medication optimisation, advanced device therapy and multidisciplinary care – without delay and without a GP referral. Clinics are available across Kent and South London, including London Bridge Hospital, Kings College Hospital (Guthrie Clinic), Maidstone (KIMS), Ashford and Margate.
What is Heart Failure?
Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump blood effectively to meet the body’s needs. Symptoms can include breathlessness, leg swelling, fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance and frequent hospital admissions. Early specialist assessment improves quality of life, reduces hospitalisation and enables patients to access advanced treatments sooner.
Advantages Of Our Heart Failure Clinic
Private, rapid access to specialist heart failure care across Kent & London
No GP referral needed – appointments often available sooner than NHS wait times
Insured and self-pay options accepted*
Multidisciplinary approach involving cardiologists and experienced heart failure nurse specialists
Our team combines expertise in clinical cardiology, advanced imaging, tailored medication programs and device therapies to give you the best chance of symptom improvement and long-term benefit.
*Please note our heart failure nurse, Sjouke Ashton-Clarkson, only sees self-pay patients.
Heart Failure Diagnostics - Accurate, Prompt & Local
Accurate diagnosis is key to effective heart failure treatment. Our clinic uses a range of advanced heart failure diagnostics, readily available close to home:
Blood tests including NT-proBNP to assess heart stress
Echocardiography (heart ultrasound) to evaluate heart function
Cardiac MRI / CT scanning for detailed structural assessment
ECG and ambulatory heart rhythm monitoring (Holter / loop recorder)
Specialist review of imaging and test results by cardiology experts
Access to to genetic testing and family screening programmes
These diagnostics help classify heart failure type (e.g., HFpEF, HFrEF, HFmrEF, underlying cardiomyopathy) and guide personalised treatment planning.
Rapid Medication Titration
Once diagnosed, optimising heart failure medications promptly and safely is essential to improve symptoms and outcomes. Our approach includes:
Initiating evidence-based heart failure medications such as beta-blockers, ACE-inhibitors, ARBs, MRAs and SGLT2 inhibitors
Close monitoring and rapid titration to therapeutic targets
Tailoring medications to individual needs, with regular review and lab monitoring
Coordination with your local GP and community teams
Early and expert drug optimisation reduces hospital admissions and can significantly improve quality of life.
Device Therapy for Heart Failure
For patients whose symptoms persist despite optimal medical therapy, advanced heart failure device treatments are available:
Pacemakers to support slow or dyssynchronous heart rhythms
Cardiac Resynchronisation Therapy (CRT) to improve heart contraction coordination
Left Bundle Branch Area pacemaker (LBBAP) to preserve ejection fraction in at-risk patients
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) for selected patients at risk of arrhythmia
Management and follow-up of devices in partnership with specialist centres
Our cardiologists work closely with leading cardiac device teams at private and NHS hospitals across the region to ensure seamless care and excellent outcomes.
Our Heart Failure Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)
Dr Suzan Hatipoglu
Consultant Cardiologist
Heart Failure & Imaging Specialist
Dr Hatipoglu brings specialist expertise in heart failure, cardiomyopathy and advanced cardiac imaging, including cardiac MRI and CT. She leads detailed diagnostic assessments and specialised treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.
Dr Idris Harding
Consultant Cardiologist and Heart Failure Devices Specialist
Dr Harding is an experienced cardiologist and cardiac devices specialist. He specialises in heart failure due to arrhythmia (heart rhythm disorders) and implants complex heart failure devices such as CRT, pacemakers, defibrillators, subcutaneous defibrillators and let bundle branch area pacemakers for heart failure patients. His holistic care approach focuses on symptom management, risk reduction and tailored long-term plans. Read more…
Sjouke Ashton-Clarkson
Senior Cardiac Nurse Specialist
(self-pay patients only)
Sjouke Ashton-Clarkson is a highly experienced heart failure nurse specialist and nurse prescriber. She plays a key role in patient education, medication management, lifestyle support, and coordination of care across settings to ensure continuity and adherence to treatment. Read more…
Heart Failure Clinic FAQs
What services does a private heart failure clinic offer?
Our private heart failure clinic provides comprehensive specialist assessments and personalised treatment plans for patients with heart failure. Services include advanced diagnostics (echo, ECG, MRI, blood tests including BNP testing), medication optimisation, lifestyle and diet advice, and ongoing monitoring to support better heart health.
How can I get a private heart failure assessment?
You can arrange a private heart failure assessment by calling our clinic directly or completing an online self-referral form. Most patients are seen within a few days for specialist consultation and tailored testing.
What tests are included in private heart failure diagnosis?
Our clinic offers a full range of private heart failure tests, including:
Clinical assessment and medical history review
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Blood tests including BNP/NT-proBNP
Advanced imaging when needed
These help confirm a diagnosis and guide personalised treatment.
Is private heart failure care available for local patients in Kent?
Yes! We’re a dedicated private heart failure clinic with multiple locations in Kent and South London serving local residents and surrounding areas. You don’t need an NHS referral — private patients can self-refer or be referred by their GP.
How quickly can I be seen for heart failure symptoms?
With private appointments, you can usually be seen within days rather than weeks. Early specialist review at a private heart failure clinic in Kent can help with rapid diagnosis and tailored treatment planning.
Do you offer ongoing follow-up care?
Yes — our clinic offers structured ongoing follow-up care for heart failure patients, including medication review, monitoring of symptoms, and lifestyle support to improve quality of life and reduce hospital admissions.
Can I get a second opinion for my heart failure diagnosis?
Absolutely — many patients seek a private second opinion for heart failure diagnosis to confirm their diagnosis or explore treatment options. We can review existing records, repeat necessary tests, and discuss personalised care recommendations.
Is private heart failure treatment covered by insurance?
Many private health insurers cover consultations and tests at our private heart failure clinic. Check with your provider regarding authorisation requirements; our team can help with paperwork and referrals. Please note that Sjouke Ashton-Clarkson, our heart failure specialist nurse, only sees self-pay patients currently. Our consultants see both self-pay and insured patients.
What makes private heart failure care different from NHS care?
Private care offers:
Faster appointment times
Longer consultations with specialists
Personalised treatment plans
Direct access to diagnostics
If you’re searching for fast private cardiology care, our clinic specialises in heart failure.
Are family members involved in care plans?
Yes — we encourage family involvement as part of holistic heart failure management to support lifestyle changes and ensure a strong support system.