British Heart Foundation makes key appointment

Dr Mike Knapton is responsible for initiating innovative programmes for people at risk of, or affected by, heart disease, and will lead the charity’s efforts to prevent avoidable heart disease, save lives and maximise recovery and quality of life.

He will play a leading role in shaping the strategy and delivery of the BHF’s cardiac care activities – which include the ongoing development of the pioneering network of BHF Heart Nurses, cardiac rehabilitation programmes and heart support groups.

The role will also embrace the BHF’s work in emergency life support, including the provision of life-saving cardiac equipment, such as defibrillators, for use in clinical and community settings, and the ever-expanding Heartstart UK initiative to teach emergency life support skills.

Dr Knapton commented: “I am delighted to be joining the BHF and consider it both a privilege and an exciting challenge. I look forward to working with BHF staff to develop high quality models of care that are clinically effective and achieve the best possible outcomes for patients.”