EQUIPMENT used to monitor the performance of Formula One cars is being piloted in the North-East to improve care for heart patients.

NHS nurses in Darlington are using telemetry to look after patients with serious heart conditions, including coronary heart disease (CHD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

Telemetry is used by Grand Prix drivers to send information about their car’s performance to engineers in the pit.

The scheme is designed to give patients more independence and reduce the number of hospital visits they need to monitor their condition.

In a joint scheme with Darlington Borough Council, 20 volunteer patients have agreed to take home equipment that monitors vital signs, including heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, pulse rate and blood oxygen levels.

Patients also answer questions about how they feel, how they are managing and whether they are experiencing specific symptoms such as swollen ankles and breathlessness.

The information is sent to medical staff at NHS Darlington headquarters, Doctor Piper House, for analysis by computer.

The £25,000 equipment allows for any abnormalities to be quickly highlighted, and an alert system is also linked to the council’s CCTV headquarters in the town hall.

CHD lead nurse Barbara Conway said: “It will lead to an even better quality of patient care as we will be able to monitor them daily and look at any trends.”

Community matron Amanda McEwan said: “The equipment allows us to monitor patients closely between actual visits and spot any abnormalities sooner. The patient feedback so far has been great. One patient said that he felt less anxious and more reassured knowing that we were keeping a close eye on him even when we weren’t there.”

The council’s cabinet member for health and leisure, Andy Scott, said: “Telehealth in Darlington is a great opportunity to use and understand the advancements in technology to help people diagnosed with long-term conditions.

“It’s also an excellent example of partnership working between the council and NHS Darlington that helps to improve health and wellbeing for the residents of Darlington.”