Cholesterol Management (PROJECT LIPID)

At TRENTSIDE MEDICAL GROUP we keen to do everything we can to help prevent disease in our patients.  High cholesterol is one of the factors which can increase cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes.

Guidance on the way we should manage cholesterol in primary care changed I 2023.  This is particularly important for those who have already got cardiovascular disease (CVD) as it can prevent further heart attacks and strokes.  New treatments are available, and we now aim for certain parts of your cholesterol profile to be below specific numbers (non HDL < 2.5 and LDL < 1.8).

To ensure we offer the best and most suitable treatment to each of our patients we launched PROJECT LIPID late 2023 and are beginning phase 2 in October 2024.  This will involve contacting all patients who are known to have CVD, and either have not had a blood test for cholesterol in the last 9 months or those whose last cholesterol test was above the target value. This will be by a text or email questionnaire asking if they wish to take part this year.  Interested patients will be sent a form to have a cholesterol test, and an up-to-date liver and kidney test.

Following this blood test, your result will be checked by a clinician and you will be contacted if a change in medication is required.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have recently seen a clinician who has changed your cholesterol controlling medication and advised a repeat blood test 3 months later, please wait for that date to repeat your blood test.

If you do not wish to take part in PROJECT LIPID, please respond to the text  or contact reception and let us know.  We will contact each person up to 3 times to offer this opportunity.

Last year we had a great uptake with this and we plan to contact patients each summer to ensure their levels are still within the desired range and make any necessary changes if not.