Little Hearts at Home (LHAH) is a clinically validated, remote patient collaboration platform designed to transform care for infants with severe congenital heart conditions. It empowers families and clinicians with real-time data, enabling proactive, at-home monitoring during the most vulnerable stages of a child’s journey.
For babies requiring multiple complex heart surgeries, the time between operations can be perilous. LHAH bridges this critical gap, reassuring families and clinicians with actionable insights that improve safety and reduce emergency admissions.
From Innovation to Implementation
LHAH was developed by clinicians, nurses, and families to address real-world challenges in paediatric cardiac care. The initial pilot showed outstanding results:
- 80% reduction in calls to the specialist helpline
- 50% fewer emergency admissions
- Over £100,000 savings in hospital bed space and clinical time per patient
- Early discharges by up to six weeks, enabling families to return home sooner
These results inspired a rapid scale-up within the North West Congenital Heart Disease (NW CHD) Network and have laid the foundation for national expansion.
A Platform for Growth
Backed by major grant funding from Innovate UK’s Knowledge Asset Grant Fund and the British Heart Foundation, the platform is undergoing dynamic development to scale its impact:
- National and International Expansion: Extending availability beyond Alder Hey through collaborations with NHS trusts and international partners
- User-Centred Enhancements: Integrating carer-led data entry to support equitable access in areas with limited community nursing
- Research and Innovation: Enabling clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives, and advanced research to continually enhance patient outcomes
This growth is not just about expanding reach—it’s about improving the depth of care, ensuring every family, regardless of geography, has access to the same high standard of support.
Expanding Horizons: Scaling for Greater Impact
Little Hearts at Home is more than a remote monitoring tool—it’s a blueprint for the future of patient-centred, digital-first paediatric care. It:
- Aligns with the NHS Long Term Plan and At-Home Strategy
- Supports safe, early discharge from hospital
- Reduces pressure on acute services
- Empowers families to participate in their child’s care
- Ensures real-time collaboration between hospital and community providers
As it evolves, LHAH is set to define a new standard in remote paediatric cardiac care—one where no family is left behind, and every child gets the best chance at a healthy future.
The Future of At-Home Care
Little Hearts at Home exemplifies Alder Hey’s commitment to innovation and patient-centred care. By empowering families, clinicians, and community teams with real-time data and actionable insights, the platform is transforming how high-risk congenital heart disease is managed, ensuring brighter futures for children and their families.
