Lipid management and Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH)

• Cardiovascular disease prevention

The NHS Long Term Plan states that the biggest area where we can save lives is in reducing the incidence of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD).

CVD causes a quarter of all deaths in the UK and is the largest cause of premature mortality in deprived areas.

Hypercholesterolaemia (high blood cholesterol) is a significant risk factor for CVD. 

Evidence suggests that improving the detection and treatment of those with hypercholesterolaemia will have significant benefits.

UCLPartners is working with acute trusts, and primary and community care teams on a wide programme of work including:

National AHSN Network FH and Lipid Management programme

The AHSN Network programme aims to:

• improve the management of cholesterol,
• increase the detection of those with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia
• optimise the use of all medicines for patients on the cholesterol management pathway.

There are 3 focus areas:

• Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) detection and lipid management optimisation to reduce death and disability due to premature CVD. This includes expanded access to genetic testing for FH via screening of electronic records.
• Working in partnership with the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC) Rapid Uptake Products (RUP) lipid management programme to accelerate patient access to appropriate medicines to enable lipid treatment using the NICE-recommended clinical pathway, with a focus on secondary prevention and including novel therapies.
• In partnership with HEARTUK, The AHSN Network are delivering the Tackling Cholesterol Together education programme and the Cholesterol Now campaign. The Education Programme aims to provide clinicians and managers with the opportunity to learn about different elements of the lipids pathway, from internationally regarded experts in the field and supports the broader objectives of our lipids national programme.

Familial Hypercholesrolaemia (FH) Pilot

UCLPartners is collaborating with the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service Alliance to implement a pilot programme with Primary Care Networks to identify patients with FH and provide them with appropriate care.

Inclisiran delivery

UCLPartners are taking a whole pathway approach while working with stakeholders. This ensures that the new treatment fits seamlessly within the updated lipids care pathway and provides more treatment options to high-risk patients who remain at risk despite maximum tolerated statin therapy via new novel technologies and existing unused treatment options.

Healthcare professionals can read summary information on the supply and funding of Inclisiran from NHS England.

For support to imbed Inclisiran in local pathways please contact primarycare@uclpartners.com

Webinars

UCLPartners is providing a series of online education sessions for health care professionals on the management of high cholesterol and lipid disorders. Delivered by a range of clinicians, these virtual sessions will be 1 hour and include time for questions and discussion.

Treating high cholesterol is a priority in the NHS Long Term Plan, as it will have a major impact on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) which currently accounts for 25% of UK deaths and is the main cause of death in deprived areas.

Series timetable:

Please follow this link to sign up to the events.