This project took a whole system approach to improve the uptake and optimisation of lipid lowering therapies (in particular statins) for secondary prevention in people living with diabetes.
Primary care undertook patient reviews for people not prescribed a statin or those prescribed low potency statins with the aim to increase uptake and optimisation. To support the project a resource pack was provided as well as education from local experts.
Results from qualitative data reported by the practices showed both:
a) a significant increase in new statin initiations in this cohort compared to the total secondary prevention cohort and
b) a much higher rate of switching to guideline recommended high potency statins compared to the change in statin prescribing across the ICB population.
Qualitative data was collated for themes demonstrating increased confidence in shared decision making consultations and reduced clinical inertia to optimise prescribing as well as identifying areas for further support (e.g. less confidence in prescribing other lipid lowering therapies).
As the practices undertook the reviews themselves this has left a legacy of learning which can be applied to the wider CVD prevention population.For further work we will be using audit data- such as CVD Prevent, QoF and Open Prescribing- to further focus support across the ICB.
