A PIONEERING online initiative launched by the University of York will boost support for the British Heart Foundation's strategy for tackling heart disease.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a preventable disease that kills more than 110,000 people in England every year.

Staff in the department of health sciences at York have developed CHD Prevention Online, a course that will train nurses and others working in cardiac rehabilitation.

The course, which starts in April, gives practitioners the opportunity to develop their CHD skills in a safe environment.

Shai Davies, head of nursing services at the British Heart Foundation, said: "We are delighted to fund this exciting and innovative programme to give nurses first-class training online.

"This new service will give health professionals the chance to train and explore patient problems and to also manage the effects of coronary heart disease in a virtual environment. Importantly, as the course can be completed at home or in work, it will cut out the need for time-consuming travel."

During the 14-week course, practitioners will work with an online "patient", undertaking a range of activities designed to develop skills in the assessment and management of CHD.

These range from management of risks such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking, to management of chest pain in primary care and psychological adjustment.

Ros Brownlow, course leader, said: "Our expert tutors will help nurses reach the latest research and evidence base, and provide support for their learning.

"They will be able to build up evidence of their learning online as they go, as the course is assessed by portfolio."

The department of health sciences is home to the British Heart Foundation care and education research group, which has an international reputation for its work on improving the quality of care and rehabilitation for cardiac patients.