Identifying and supporting people most at risk of dying prematurely

This guidance aims to help NHS and other staff identify and provide services for people who are disadvantaged and most at risk of dying early from heart disease. Disadvantaged people include those who are living on a low income, those who are homeless and people with disabilities. The risk of dying ...

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This guidance aims to help NHS and other staff identify and provide services for people who are disadvantaged and most at risk of dying early from heart disease. Disadvantaged people include those who are living on a low income, those who are homeless and people with disabilities.

The risk of dying early could be reduced by providing services to help people stop smoking and treatment for high cholesterol and other conditions that increase the risk of heart disease. 

NICE recommendations include the following advice:

• GPs and other NHS staff working outside hospitals, and local authorities should set up systems to identify people who are disadvantaged and at high risk of heart disease.
• NHS organisations and local authorities should work together to provide flexible services to improve the health of these people. This might include advice and help offered in drop-in clinics and other places people can get to easily, at times that suit them. Information should be provided in a language people understand.
• The NHS and local authorities should ensure services aiming to improve the health of people who are disadvantaged are coordinated and that there are enough people trained to run them.

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