Taking people in United KingdomNo phase

Support programme for family carers of people with heart failure in the UK

Tests an online support programme for family carers of people with heart failure.

Key facts

Who runs it: Queen's University, Belfast
Where: Belfast, Craigavon, Glasgow, and London, United KingdomSee the 5 sites
Trial code: NCT07373041
Registry title: Heart Failure Carer Support Programme: Implementation Testing in the UK.
Status: Recruiting
People taking part: 360 people, planned
Started: 29 May 2026
Expected to end: 29 Nov 2027
Type of study: Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets no study treatment, for comparison.
Treatments tested: HEart faiLure carer support Programme (HELP)
Record updated: 2 June 2026

Who can take part

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for unpaid carers of people with heart failure, and the patients they care for. Carers get 6 weekly online support sessions.

Age: 18 years or older
Sex: All sexes can join.
Disease stage: The patient has a diagnosis of heart failure, is on standard heart failure treatment, and has heart failure symptoms or 1 episode of decompensation (symptoms needing medical attention) in the previous 6 months.
Earlier treatment: The patient must be receiving standard evidence-based heart failure therapies.

Main reasons for not taking part

Cannot give consent
Under 18 years old
Cannot speak and understand English
Patient whose carer refused to take part in HELP

The registry criteria, word for word

Show all 15 criteriaShow less

Who can take part

Aged 18 years or older
Physical and mental ability to operate a digital device, engage comfortably in conversation with peers, and be able to read written materials
Caring (regular, unpaid care) for a person with a clinical diagnosis of heart failure (HF) who is receiving standard evidence-based HF therapies and has either HF symptoms or 1 episode of decompensation (symptoms requiring medical attention) in previous 6 months
Ability to speak and understand English
Aged 18 years or older
Physical and mental ability to engage comfortably in conversation and be able to read written materials
Clinical diagnosis of HF and receiving standard evidence-based HF therapies and has either HF symptoms or 1 episode of decompensation (symptoms requiring medical attention) in previous 6 months
Ability to speak and understand English
Receiving regular, unpaid support with managing his / her condition from a loved one or friend (e.g., a relative or spouse)

Who cannot take part

Under the age of 18; Patients
Under the age of 18
Lacking capacity to give consent
Lacking capacity to give consent
Carer refused to participate in HELP

Other criteria

Carers

Where in United Kingdom

Royal Victoria HospitalBelfast, United KingdomContact: Lana DixonNot yet recruiting
Ulster HospitalBelfast, United KingdomContact: Patrick DonnellyNot yet recruiting
Craigavon Area HospitalCraigavon, United KingdomContact: Edith DonnellyNot yet recruiting
Glasgow Royal InfirmaryGlasgow, United KingdomContact: Yvonne MillerickTaking people
King's College HospitalLondon, United KingdomContact: Hannah SimmonsNot yet recruiting

About the trial

What the trial wants to find out

Background:

Read full original descriptionShow less

Heart failure (HF) is widespread in the United Kingdom (UK). Many of these patients rely on support from family carers who are ill-prepared and supported for this role. These carers often experience poor mental and physical health because of their caring role. HEart faiLure carer support Programme (HELP) is the first intervention in the UK developed with carers of patients with HF to support them with looking after themselves and the patients they care for.

Aim:

To identify the best way of delivering HELP to all carers across the UK and evaluate its impact on carers and patients.

Methods:

HF Nurses will deliver HELP across 3 sites in the UK to approximately 180 carers of patients with HF. The carers targeted will be those who require additional support (caring for a patient who has HF symptoms). These carers will be nominated for the project by patients identified by nurses at in- and out-patient HF appointments. These patients (around 180) will also be invited to provide information for the project. HELP includes 6 online educational support sessions (1 hour each) delivered weekly, along with an educational booklet and website that provide additional support and advice. We will evaluate the impact of HELP on outcomes for patients (i.e., hospital admissions, GP visits, and quality of life) and carers (i.e., burden, preparedness, and quality of life). Interviews and logs / questionnaires will be completed by participants and staff, which will help us understand how best to deliver HELP. Information for the project will be collected at baseline, during HELP, immediately post-HELP (6 weeks), and 6 months after finishing HELP.

Impact:

The findings will allow us to develop a plan for giving HELP to all carers throughout the UK to provide them with the education and support they need.

The 2 groups in the trial

CarersTreatment being tested
180 informal carers of people with symptomatic heart failure across the three collaborating centres (Northern Ireland, England, and Scotland). These carers will receive the HEart faiLure carer support Programme (HELP).
Treatment: HEart faiLure carer support Programme (HELP)
Patients with symptomatic heart failureNo study treatment, for comparison
The patients who are receiving support from the recruited carers will be invited to provide outcome data (approximately 180), which will enable an assessment of the dyadic impact of HELP.