Postural Tachycardia Syndrome: fund training and facilities

Fund training for all healthcare providers on spotting and dealing with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) as well as facilities where people with this condition can access the correct form of healthcare as I believe this is seriously lacking.

PoTS can be life-altering and extremely debilitating. It seems there is currently very little training for healthcare professionals on PoTS and little research, meaning that many could be going undiagnosed or aren't getting the care they require. Some reports indicate there has been an increase in people with PoTS after Covid-19 and it seems there are very few specialists to deal with them. I believe many people with PoTS are not receiving any care and have very little quality of life.

Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), also known as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, is an abnormality of the functioning of the autonomic nervous system. Symptoms include palpitations, light-headedness, fatigue, sweating, nausea, fainting and headaches, and are associated with an increase in heart rate.

We recognise that PoTS is a complex condition with a range of symptoms which, in the worst case, can be substantially incapacitating. We also understand the concerns raised with us about a lack of awareness and understanding of PoTS among NHS healthcare professionals and the public, and that as a result, many patients have fallen through the gap between cardiology and neurology services.

Employers in the health system in England are responsible for ensuring that their staff are trained to the required standards to deliver safe and effective treatment for patients, and for investing in the future of their staff by providing continuing professional development (CPD) funding. The Government has no plans to introduce centrally funded CPD for PoTS.

To improve awareness of PoTS amongst healthcare professionals, and specifically GPs, the Royal College of General Practitioners provides training as part of its Syncope toolkit, which is available from the following link: https://elearning.rcgp.org.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=12386#:~:text=PoTS,no%20fall%20in%20blood%20pressure

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) publishes guidance on the diagnosis and treatment of long-term conditions for use by healthcare professionals and commissioners. Whilst the guidance is not mandatory, the Government expects the healthcare system to take the guidelines fully into account in designing services that meet the needs of their local population. NICE has provided healthcare professionals with guidance on PoTS as part of its Clinical Knowledge Summaries, which provide primary care practitioners with evidence based and practical advice on best practice. This is available from the following link: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/blackouts-syncope/diagnosis/assessment/