Community Lipid Management Service

NHS BLMK CCG secured Pathway Transformation Funding (PTF) to support the adoption of a new lipid management pathway and the establishment of community lipid services. The Community Lipid service will offer:

• A full assessment of people referred with CVD and/or FH and also uncontrolled hypercholesterolaemia or mixed dyslipidemia, including review of current and previous lipid lowering treatments, adherence with treatment regimes and any reasons for discontinuation.
• Pharmacological management and monitoring of effectiveness and tolerability in line with pathways agreed with the commissioner.
• Requesting of appropriate pathology tests at appropriate intervals through the relevant pathology system.
• Electronic prescription of relevant medications, in sufficient quantity to meet the requirements for uptitration between review contacts.
• Comprehensive documentation of each clinical contact in the shared clinical record on SystmOne.
• Support for self-management and education on the significance of managing cardiovascular risk factors, including cholesterol.
• Appropriate signposting to other services to support optimisation of health and wellbeing, including weight management, smoking cessation, alcohol support and talking therapies.
• Onward referral to specialist lipid services of patients with uncontrolled lipids despite maximum tolerated oral therapy, in line with criteria and pathways agreed with the commissioner.
• Clinical assessment of people with clinical features suggestive of suspected FH (as defined by the commissioner), with onward referral as appropriate to specialist lipid services.
• Clear treatment plans with appropriate patient-driven uptitration of therapy, timing of repeat lipid testing and scheduling of follow-up to allow maximal impact from each clinical contact.