Introduction to the HEART UKFH Toolkit

Dr Jonathan Morrell, Chair, FHGIT Dr Dermot Neely, Chair, Medical Scientific & Research Committee

Summary

• Why develop the FH Toolkit?• Development process• Aims and structure of the Toolkit• Sections of the Toolkit• Ongoing work

Why develop the FH Toolkit?

• NICE FH Guideline published August 2008• HEART UK involved in developing NICE

Guideline.• Sound arguments for implementation – health

outcomes, economic case…

…But little progress in

implementation

Development process

• In 2009, HEART UK established FH Guideline Implementation Team (FHGIT)

• FHGIT comprises UK experts on FH• Launch of initiatives in Wales & Scotland, meant

FHGIT concentrates on England• Commercial support from MSD, Pfizer and

Genzyme

Development process

• Toolkit developed by FHGIT and hanover communications agency

• Examples of documents, models, good practice and resources sourced from around the UK

Aims and structure of Toolkit

• Aid implementation of NICE FH Guideline• Target audience: service providers, healthcare

professionals, commissioners

• Comprises six sections; designed to work in combination or as standalone

• Toolkit can be used to help set up the whole service, or to assist with implementation of specific elements

• Includes template documents, which can be used or adapted to suit local needs

Sections 1 & 2: Guide to useand Background

• Section 1 includes summary of each section and information on how to use toolkit to implement FH services in your area

• Section 2 provides background information on the condition, key elements of the NICE Guideline, list of key influencers

Section 3: Service specification

• The first step towards implementing the NICE Guideline is to set out specifications for FH services for local commissioners and healthcare professionals

• Section includes examples of strategic plans submitted in three regions of the country

• Since work on this toolkit began, the Department of Health has also undertaken to develop a Primary Care Service Framework for FH. This will be included when available (~ March 2010).

Section 4: Diagnosis

• An overview of the protocols for diagnosing FH in patients, including the criteria for making clinical diagnosis of FH

• Also includes information on DNA testing and LDL-C concentration measurements, recognising clinical signs of FH, and the differences in diagnosing adults and children.

Section 5: Cascade testing

• Implementing cascade testing for FH is a key component of the NICE Guideline

• This section includes overview of methods and documents required for contacting relatives; template documents for contacting practitioners; a section on cataloguing and maintaining family files; and National Genetics Education and Development Centre guide Taking and Drawing a Family History

Section 6: Governance& Protocol

• Contains documents for managing the ongoing FH services in your area. This includes standard operating procedures, resources for conveying information to patients, and information on governance and responsibilities within an FH service

Ongoing work

• Toolkit will continue to be updated as new documents, models and examples of practice emerge

• Toolkit promotion campaign to commence shortly

• Download the Toolkit: www.heartuk.org.uk

Contact

• If you have a problem, if no-one else can help, maybe you’d like to contact the FHGIT…

• We may be able to help answer your implementation questions

• Contact Slade Carter sc@heartuk.org.uk