The Public Health Wales Observatory has published an analysis that compares modelled coronary heart disease (CHD) prevalence with Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) CHD register prevalence for all GP clusters in Wales.
Dr Gareth Davies, Principal Public Health Intelligence Analyst in the Public Health Wales Observatory led the analysis. He said: “Using data from the Welsh Health Survey we have, for the first time, been able to model CHD prevalence at the GP Cluster level. Whilst, as with any modelled data, the information must be used with caution, we hope the analysis will help to stimulate thought and discussion, particularly with regard to the issue of equity of access to health care, which was the impetus behind this work.”
The modelling approach was adapted from a method used in England for the same purpose. The report contains a detailed description of the modelling process, its validity and its results, as well as the comparison between the modelled and QOF prevalence. The analysis was originally produced to support the Inverse Care Law programme. Concentrating on the Cwm Taf and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board areas, the programme aims to improve healthy life expectancy and reduce health inequities through the targeted provision of high quality, integrated and community focused services.
Sara Thomas, Consultant in Public Health for Cwm Taf Public Health Team, said: “The original report produced for the Inverse Care Law Programme has been very useful. We have used the work in a CVD risk reduction project to help target practices for inclusion in the pilot phase. Our Primary Care Clusters have also used the data from the report to inform their local plans. I welcome the publication of this all-Wales report."
Further information on the Welsh Health Survey questions is available.
Further information on the English use of this modelling approach (.pdf) is also available.
Under the QOF, GPs are incentivised to maintain disease registers for a number of chronic diseases, one of which is CHD. The CHD modelled prevalence analysis (.pdf) estimates GP cluster level CHD prevalence using self reported heart disease data from the Welsh Health Survey and compares it with the QOF CHD register prevalence. Whilst both estimates represent diagnosed disease, the difference between the two may prove to be a useful starting point for case ascertainment exercises.
The Public Health Wales Observatory welcomes feedback on this web resource by email to: publichealthwalesobservatory@wales.nhs.uk