Who are we?

We are a group of clinically-led stakeholders focussed on improving prevention, detection and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Greater Manchester (GM).  We are led by Dr Aseem Mishra, the SCN clinical lead for CVD Prevention.

What are our aims?

CVD is one of the leading causes of disability and death in the United Kingdom, but it is fundamentally preventable through an individual’s healthier lifestyle choices, earlier detection and improved management of CVD risk factors.

These risk factors (ie hypertension, atrial fibrillation and high cholesterol) are also linked with an increased risk of dementia, and hypertension specifically has been singled out as the single biggest global risk factor for preventable deaths and disability adjusted life years (ref Lancet Global Burden of Disease, 2021).

The CVD Prevention Network has developed a Cardiovascular Prevention Plan which will be reviewed and revised in light of emerging evidence, service improvements and the increasingly granular Greater Manchester intelligence available.

How do we do it?

THE CVD Prevention Network and its clinical leadership support NHS Greater Manchester and our communities to articulate a system-wide ambition that:

1. Enables the removal of barriers to CVD prevention for all (addressing health inequalities – CORE20+5 approach)
2. Delivers a whole system approach to detection of risk factors
3. Remains joined up, across all system strategies (population health, stroke, diabetes, cardiac, cardiology, support public health initiatives and healthy behaviours)
4. Supports earlier diagnosis through opportunistic checks and NHS Health Checks
5. Provides clear governance, metrics, and reporting procedures.

How do we make a difference?

The Greater Manchester Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Oversight Group sets the strategic direction for local prevention initiatives. These initiatives are aligned to detection, management and optimisation of atrial fibrillation, hypertension and cholesterol and related risk factors, in addition to diabetes, cardiac and stroke rehabilitation.  We work to:

• Ensure a patient-centred approach to the Network’s diabetes programme of work, as well
• Recognise the diverse nature and needs of communities across GM
• Identify and to address health inequalities in every aspect of the work we do
• Build clinical leadership and consensus to develop robust, evidence-based proposals for service improvement

How can I find out more?

Our CVD Prevention clinical network works at a Greater Manchester level and with all ten place-based teams.  This includes regular engagement meetings where stakeholders can listen, learn and contribute to the CVD prevention conversation.  For further information, please contact england.gmecscn-oversightgroup@nhs.net.