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PATIENTS WHO REMAIN AT HIGH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK MAY HAVE GREATER
ACCESS TO CHOLESTEROL LOWERING TREATMENT
PATIENTS in
Liverpool who remain at high risk of cardiovascular disease because
of high cholesterol levels may have greater access to the latest
cholesterol lowering treatment as a result of the National Institute
for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidance published.
The new Guidance recommends ezetimibe for use in combination with a
statin in patients whose cholesterol levels remain above national
targets, even with a low cholesterol diet and after taking initial
statin therapy which has been titrated (increased in dose)
appropriately, and where consideration is being given to changing
from initial statin therapy to an alternative statin.
Local cholesterol facts for Liverpool
Over 55% of people in Liverpool were recently found to have a
cholesterol level above the optimal government target, with those
who worked in defense and the armed forces having the highest
cholesterol levels (average 5.57mmol/l) compared to recruitment
workers who had the healthiest levels (4.45mmol/l). National
guidelines for adults recommend a total cholesterol target of less
than 5mmol/l (millimoles per litre) and a ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL-C)
target of less than 3mmol/l.
The Spearhead Group of Local Health Authorities and Primary Care
Trusts has also identified Cheshire and Merseyside as areas with
some of the worst health and deprivation indicators, including
deaths due to cardiovascular disease, in the country. Data from the
Department of Health also reveals that prevalence of stroke rose in
Cheshire and Merseyside between 2004 and 2006 (approximately 1.75%
to 1.8%) and is higher than the national average in 2006 of 1.6%.
Michael Livingston, Director of the patient charity H.E.A.R.T. UK –
The Cholesterol Charity, commented:- “Over 1/3rd of the 2.6
million people in the UK with coronary heart disease are not
reaching government cholesterol targets (5mmol/l) and are at
significant risk of heart attack and stroke. We are therefore
delighted by the publication of the NICE guidance on ezetimibe. This
alternative approach to managing high cholesterol could benefit
thousands of people.”
Reaching recommended cholesterol levels
The NICE Guidance Committee considered clinical evidence which
showed that adding ezetimibe to statin therapy reduced LDL
cholesterol by 23.2% more than statin therapy alone. Doubling
the dose of statin therapy or switching to an alternative statin
generally leads to a further reduction in baseline LDL-cholesterol
concentrations of approximately 6% and 8% respectively.
According to NICE, now that this Guidance has been formally
published, the NHS is required by the Secretary of State to provide
funding and resources for medicines and treatments recommended
through this appraisal process normally within 3 months.
Working with statin therapy
Ezetimibe is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor that blocks the
absorption of cholesterol in the intestine, so combining it with a
statin, the conventional treatment which reduces cholesterol
production in the liver, can lead to extra reductions in cholesterol
compared to use of a statin alone.
Statin intolerance is also defined in the NICE Guidance as the
presence of clinically significant adverse effects from statin
therapy that are considered to represent an unacceptable risk to the
patient or that may result in compliance with therapy being
compromised. The NICE Guidance states that therapy with ezetimibe
co-administered with a statin was found to have a similar adverse
event profile to that of statin therapy alone.
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PROPERTY DEVELOPERS NEW CITY VISION LAUNCHES £1,000 FUND FOR LOCAL
PROJECTS
NEW City
Vision, a fast-growing property developer and owner of the
Ellergreen development of modern, affordable housing has launched a
new Community Bursary with the aim of bolstering local community
development initiatives and charitable projects in the Liverpool
area. Community spirit is integral to the Ellergreen Development on
Utting Avenue East and the bursary will give groups and individuals
the chance to apply for a £1,000 grant which can be ploughed back
into supporting local initiatives in 2008.
The bursary is applicable to any non-profitable group or individual
in the Liverpool area working for the better of the community; from
local football teams, to youth groups and voluntary services. New
City Vision are calling on applicants to apply for a sum of the
bursary, which can be used for much needed equipment, additional
staff support or organised group days out.
The Ellergreen development is well on its way to strengthening
communities in Liverpool. Building 657 houses in total over a five
year period, New City Vision has already breathed new life into the
area and has answered a clear need for modern, environmentally
sustainable and highly attractive homes in an idea location. The
exciting development of 2, 3 and 4 bed mews, semi and detached
houses are all within just 5 miles of the city’s vibrant centre and
represent everything homeowners expect from a modern estate and
more.
New City Vision’s Regional Managing Director, Don Craven, explains:-
“People are at the very heart of Ellergreen from parents
looking for a comfortable, stylish home in a family-friendly area,
to younger couples looking to get a first foot on the property
ladder – community spirit is incredibly important to us. There
are so many worthy projects and enterprises in our local community
but all too often funds are a real stumbling block. We hope the New
City Vision Ellergreen Community Bursary will give a real boost to
local groups and help positive ideas to flourish. So whether you’re
a local football team needing a new kit, an after school club
desperate for new toys or a group of volunteers wanting to renovate
a community centre – we’d love to hear from you!”
New City Vision’s community ethos extends beyond the bursary –
Ellergreen’s modern homes blend contemporary living with a real
focus on reducing energy consumption and conserving natural
resources. All homes are energy efficient and allow for excellent
Public Transport links to the city and beyond with a first class bus
service right on the doorstep. To keep pedestrians and
children safe at all times, Ellergreen will operate a ‘Home Zone’
- a 20mph speed limit restriction for all vehicles entering and
driving through the estate. A new infrastructure will also be
created for the estate, which will include brand new road layouts
and unique road names – all adding to the sense of community.
Don Craven adds:- “Everyone at Ellergreen is very excited
about the prospect of being able to support some really worthwhile
local causes. Creating a sense of community is about more than
bricks and mortar and we recognise the vital role which hundreds of
small, local projects play in making our development feel like
‘home’. I’m really looking forward to receiving the first batch of
bursary applications and would urge local people to get in touch and
tell us why the money would make a big difference to their project.
Hopefully we can help lay the foundations for some really exciting
ideas! “
Anyone wishing to apply on behalf of a local charity or community
group for a share of the community bursary should
email or send a letter to
Melissa McNally, DADA, Argyll Chambers, 30 Buchanan Street, Glasgow,
G1 3LB. The letter should outline the amount requested, details of
the group and what the money will be used for. Closing date for
applications is 8th January 2008. Please note that the Ellergreen
Community Bursary is subject to terms and conditions. For further
information regarding Ellergreen or to take a virtual tour please
visit:-
www.ellergreen.net or telephone 0151 256 0900.
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