Evaluation of 'Find and Treat' screening programme (2007-2010)

Clarke-Cornwell, AM; Coffey, M; Cooper-Ryan, AM; Delgado, C; Prosser, H; Dugdill, L

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the main causes of premature mortality (death before age 75) in the UK, with 28% of all premature deaths in males and 19% of all deaths in females due to CVD in 2010; CVD was the cause of 46,000 premature deaths in 2010, with 25,000 premature deaths attributable to coronary heart disease (CHD) in the same year. Across England, premature mortality from CHD is highest in the North West and lowest in the South East and South West. This reflects the fact that CHD mortality exhibits a strong positive relationship with deprivation when using a measure of relative inequality.
Wigan, in the North West of England (the focus of this evaluation), has higher levels of deprivation compared with the average for England, with 29.6% of its population living in the most deprived national quintile. All-cause mortality has decreased over the last decade in Wigan, although premature mortality due to heart disease and stroke has fallen; however, rates are still worse than the average for England (South East Public Health Observatory [SEPHO], 2013).
The underlying causes of CVD are multifactorial and complex, and include non-modifiable risk factors such as age, gender, family history and ethnicity; modifiable risk factors (related to lifestyle) such as smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity; and risk factors that can be controlled or treated, i.e. high blood pressure, raised glucose levels, high cholesterol and obesity. CVD is largely preventable, and the control of these modifiable risk factors is a proven means of reducing the burden of CVD at the population level.
Following the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease (the relevant national policy document), the aims of the Find and Treat screening programme were to reduce the CVD burden by targeting (and managing) CVD risk factors, and to reduce inequalities in access to treatment. The Find and Treat screening programme targeted those who were at high risk of CVD in those aged 50-74 (although this was later extended to those aged 40-74, to come in line with the national NHS Health Check programme, in April 2010).

Aims
1. To assess the level of uptake of the Find and Treat screening programme by demographic characteristics, by area level of deprivation (Index of Multiple of Deprivation) and by general practice (GP) characteristics.
2. To assess procedures for recording cardiovascular risk factors in practice based databases and in the screening interviews with practice staff (Health Care Assistants (HCA), Practice Nurses).
3. To evaluate the cost effectiveness of the Find and Treat screening programme, including its impact on patterns of prescribing.

Citation

Clarke-Cornwell, A., Coffey, M., Cooper-Ryan, A., Delgado, C., Prosser, H., & Dugdill, L. Evaluation of 'Find and Treat' screening programme (2007-2010)

• Report Type: Project Report
• Deposit Date: Nov 30, 2015
• Additional Information: Projects : Evaluation of 'Find and Treat' Screening Programme: Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT