The facility was spearheaded by Dr Guy Lloyd, DGH consultant cardiologist, three years ago.

It means that patients with heart valve disease are seen by cardiac technicians rather than consultants.

Heart valve disease affects one in 10 patients over the age of 75 and more often than not, patients are not diagnosed until the disease has reached its end stages.

The disease is one of the important causes of heart failure and sudden cardiac death.

The pioneering clinic has worked so well that, on a weekly basis, hospitals across the country are contacting Dr Lloyd for more information.

He said, "Three years ago we were one of the first in the world to set up this clinic, run solely by technicians who specialise in physiology.

"Ann Topham and Lesley Hart have been instrumental in the success of the clinic and should be thoroughly congratulated for its success.

"The clinic is excellent for patients because it means that patients see Ann and Lesley every time they come into hospital, rather than different consultants."

An audit on the clinic has shown that the hospital journey for patients with heart valve disease is now far more efficient.

Outpatients appointments have been slashed from 990 to around 25 because the process is now much more streamlined.

Dr Lloyd said, "Before, the process was much more chaotic but now we are seeing patients specifically when they need to be seen and, if there is a problem, patients have a hotline through to a consultant cardiologist."

East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust has now linked with St Thomas' Hospital in London who provide a similar nurse-led scheme.

The data produced will help cardiology teams build the best possible service for patients.