Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take as part of the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework to improve the identification of patients with raised cholesterol.

The Government is committed to tackling the biggest killers, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Improving early detection and diagnosis of the key risk factors for CVD, including raised cholesterol levels, is vital to deliver on this commitment.

To tackle unwarranted variation, support consistent, high-quality care across the CVD pathway, and to support the Government’s ambition to reduce premature deaths from heart disease and stroke by 25% within a decade, we will publish a new cardiovascular disease Modern Service Framework (CVD MSF) this spring.

In developing the CVD MSF, we are reviewing evidence and engaging stakeholders on a range of pathway areas, including lipid management. The framework will support integrated care boards by identifying the best-evidenced interventions, setting clear implementation standards. This approach will help ensure greater consistency in the detection, treatment, and management of CVD.

In addition, the Government continues to support the NHS Health Check, England’s CVD prevention programme. For every 1.4 million NHS Health Checks delivered annually, there are 900,000 people identified with raised cholesterol levels.