Objectives included increasing cholesterol measurement , providing more treatment options for high-risk patients , reducing health inequalities through a national approach , and incorporating the latest approved treatments into lipid pathways .
The Blood Pressure Optimisation ( BPO ) programme made improvements , particularly in South Yorkshire , in transforming the prevention of cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) by optimising the clinical care and self-management of people with hypertension . Hypertension and high cholesterol , both leading risk factors for CVD , are often underdiagnosed and undertreated . The BPO programme has raised awareness about hypertension and provided a foundation for discussing other CVD conditions , such as lipids .
This programme has supported PCNs in identifying more patients with hypertension through casefinding interventions , including patient record searches and community pharmacy schemes . This approach has been adopted across the region , with all localities promoting the hypertension pathway and several PCNs collaborating with local pharmacies on hypertension services .
Additionally , the BPO programme has focused on reducing health inequalities by targeting the most deprived populations . A notable case study from a practice in South Yorkshire highlights the success of the BPO programme , where an opportunistic case-finding initiative led to 700 patients having their blood pressure checked during a flu clinic . Overall , the BPO programme has demonstrated progress in addressing hypertension and CVD prevention by enhancing clinical care , self-management , and targeted interventions for at-risk populations and is also due to be extended for another six months .
We are also working on a project to review the primary care workforce to increase capacity for identification and treatment of lipid and FH patients as part of our national programmes . Objectives for this included establishing processes for patient identification , developing new ways to identify patients with a genetic pre-disposition , upskilling the workforce , and enhancing patient access to trained non-medical professionals .
These local and national CVD programmes demonstrate a commitment to improving cardiovascular health through innovative solutions , early identification , and workforce development . Enhanced collaboration and knowledge sharing has also been central to some of the successes of these projects . By fostering a culture of collaboration among regional healthcare providers through regular workshops , webinars and events we have enabled healthcare professionals to stay updated on the latest research , treatments , and best practices in cardiovascular care which will help inform future their prevention strategies .
The initiatives and projects over the last year have contributed to better health outcomes and reduced health inequalities in the region . By continuing to promote innovation , collaboration , and evidencebased care , we are well-positioned to drive further improvements in cardiovascular health across the three Integrated Care Systems ( ICSs ) in our region as well as with our local clinical commissioning groups ( CCGs ) and primary care networks ( PCNs ) in the years to come .
41 Transforming Lives Through Innovation