HeartLife Patient and Caregiver Charter

Receipt of an accurate and timely diagnosis

An accurate and timely diagnosis is essential to initiate treatment that will relieve my symptoms, improve my quality of life, reduce hospitalizations, and prolong my survival.

Availability of services and resources to support my mental health throughout my care continuum.

Mental health issues, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, and mental stress, are common in HF patients and our caregivers; these disorders have a deeply negative impact on our overall well-being.

Access to educational tools and resources, including an advance care plan, to empower me to effectively self-manage my health.

Throughout my journey as a HF patient, my family/caregivers and I will have many questions about our disease and how we can optimize our wellbeing. To support us, we need educational materials and resources that answer our questions, are available at any time, and address a variety of topics.

Empathy and compassion from health care providers.

Recognition amongst health providers that my designated caregivers have the right to access and interact with them on my behalf. Standard patient-driven training for health professionals. Openness among health providers to discuss alternative therapies.

Access to multidisciplinary care team throughout my journey.

Access to multidisciplinary care team throughout my journey that includes a Heart Failure specialist, a nurse, a pharmacist, mental health support, a dietician, a cardiac rehab specialist, and my general practitioner. A case manager or patient navigator who coordinates my care. The use of virtual health systems.

Timely access to the best standards of care and medical therapies that are currently available.

Timely access to the best standards of care and medical therapies that are currently available, including new and emerging treatments. Access to clinical trials and innovative research studies.

Opportunity to provide input into decisions regarding future research into HF.

Opportunity to provide input into decisions regarding future research into HF. Research priorities should reflect the needs and perspectives of patients and caregivers, not just healthcare professionals and researchers.