A medical research project worked on by medics from Amersham and High Wycombe has been nominated for an award.
The Lipid Optimisation Programme, a collaboration between Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK, has been shortlisted for the Health Equalities Award at the NHS Parliamentary Awards 2024.
The programme aims to tackle high cholesterol, a major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) including heart attacks and strokes, in Buckinghamshire.
It uses a population health tool to identify CVD patients who need better management of their cholesterol levels.
The programme focuses on patients from the most deprived areas of Buckinghamshire, as research showed that people in the most deprived areas of England are almost four times more likely to die prematurely from CVD compared to those in less deprived areas.
In the first six months of the programme, more than 1,100 patients were contacted and reviewed by expert clinicians, with more than 62 per cent of patients starting new medications or having their dosage increased.
Dr Mark Johnson, associate medical director for clinical productivity and transformation, said: "A raised cholesterol is one of the most common causes of cardiovascular diseases and a key driver of health inequalities in the UK.
"Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for a quarter of the 6.5 year gap in life expectancy between the most and least deprived areas of Buckinghamshire.
"Our programme has provided all patients across Buckinghamshire with access to a greater range of NICE-approved lipid lowering medications, which will reduce their risk of having a further heart attack or stroke and ultimately save lives.
"Our team is grateful to have been recognised by the NHS Parliamentary Awards, and we’re looking forward to the awards ceremony in October."
The NHS Parliamentary Awards recognise teams that help the NHS find new ways to identify and tackle 'unwarranted variation', reduce health inequalities, and prevent ill health in their community.
A panel of judges, including notable figures from across the healthcare sector, will come together to select the winners of this year’s awards.
These winners will be announced at the awards ceremony taking place on Monday, October 14, 2024, when healthcare leaders, finalists, and MPs will join together to celebrate the contribution healthcare staff make to the NHS.
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