HomePartnershipsWorking With The NHS and other Healthcare OrganisationsCollaborative WorkingCollaborative Working Project between the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and Pfizer LimitedCollaborative Working Project between the South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust and Pfizer Limited
Junior Clinical Fellow (JCF) support to coordinate amyloid clinics and multidisciplinary teams
Background
Cardiac amyloidosis (CA), particularly Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) and Light Chain Cardiac Amyloidosis (AL), is increasingly prevalent and requires timely, specialist-led diagnosis and treatment. Historically, patients were referred to the National Amyloidosis Centre (NAC) in London, but travel and access challenges have highlighted the need for regional care models. This project aligns with the NHS Long Term Plan and the Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, aiming to decentralise care and improve outcomes through local multidisciplinary teams (MDTs).
Project
The project is a collaborative working initiative between Pfizer Ltd and South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) to support the delivery of a Junior Clinical Fellow (JCF) role. The JCF will coordinate cardiac amyloidosis clinics and MDTs, streamline patient pathways, and enhance local diagnostic and treatment capabilities. Key activities include:
Establishing standardised clinical pathways.
Launching a dedicated cardiac amyloidosis clinic.
Educating healthcare professionals.
Creating a patient database to support research.
Improving access to diagnostics and reducing health inequities.
Benefits
Benefits to patients
Faster access to diagnostics and treatment.
Reduced travel burden and associated costs.
Improved education, empowerment, and quality of life.
More equitable access to specialised care.
Benefits to the NHS
Enhanced collaboration between STSFT and NAC.
Optimised resource use and reduced pressure on national centres.
Cost savings through reduced admissions and improved management.
Data collection aligned with the Rare Disease Framework.
Benefits to Pfizer
Better understanding of patient pathways and service delivery.
Identification of suitable patients eligible for Pfizer treatments.
Insights into post-discharge care and MDT dynamics
Potential Outcomes
Increase the number of patients screened and diagnosed.
Reduce time from referral to diagnosis and treatment.
Improve patient experience and education.
Generate actionable audit data to support future NHS investment.
Publish outcomes within six months of project completion
Proposed Term of the Collaborative Working Project
Planned start date: 22nd September 2025.
Planned end date: 21st September 2026.
The project includes a 6-month planning phase followed by a 6-month implementation phase.
Resource Allocation
Pfizer Contribution: £77,125.33 (includes financial and human resource value).
STSFT Contribution: £76,198.00 (includes human resource value).
Human Resource Contribution:
Pfizer Project Management – 0.2 day per week x 52 weeks = 75 hours
Pfizer Medical Support – 0.2 days per week x 52 weeks = 75 hours
STSFT – 1 PA session per week = 4 hours x 52 = 208 hours