The rapid access chest pain clinic (RACPC) and the role of the cardiac physiologist

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the largest killers in the UK. Rapid access chest pain clinics (RACPCs) provide an effective and efficient method for the early diagnosis of patients with CHD. Currently, specialist nurses lead these services. However, there has been a shift, with the focus moving towards cardiac physiologists (CPs) and the role they have to play in delivering these services. The article reflects on the experiences and challenges of a CP's involvement in RACPC. Through these observations and learning points, we aim to encourage other CPs to implement comparable RACPC service delivery systems for the benefit of patients, the broader integrated workforce and the wider healthcare community.