Lambeth GP practices eliminate blood pressure control inequality between BAME and white patients

GP practices in south London have reduced blood pressure control between BAME and white patients through a 12-month project.

The project, run by two surgeries in Lambeth, successfully managed to eradicate the 12 per cent inequality gap for blood pressure control between black and white patients.

High blood pressure is a key cause of strokes and heart attacks. It has a much higher prevalence in BAME and deprived communities.

Lambeth is among London’s most deprived boroughs, with around a quarter of residents living in poverty. Four in ten (43 per cent) residents are from a Black, Asian or Multi-ethnic background.

The project was delivered by the AT Medics Streatham Primary Care Network (PCN) in Lambeth, which consists of two practices, Edith Cavell Surgery and Streatham High Practice. The practices care for 45,000 patients, around 7 per cent of whom were suffering from hypertension.

As part of the programme, 98 per cent of hypertensive patients were checked and received a blood pressure reading over a 12-month period.

Blood pressure control for black patients in the PCN is now 21 per cent higher than the Lambeth average, AT said.

Dr Tarek Radwan, GP Director, said: “This project has delivered incredible results, and this is all down to the dedication of our amazing team, especially our administrators, healthcare assistants and pharmacists.

“The last 12 months have proved that we can not just reduce but actually eradicate health inequalities and raise the quality of care for everyone at the same time. I know the difference this will make to our local communities, and it really shows what is possible with a highly motivated multidisciplinary team.”

Michelle Dalmacio, the Stroke Association’s Associate Director for London said: “It’s brilliant to see such fantastic results from this 12-month programme which show that using tailored approaches to access healthcare can improve overall diagnosis of high blood pressure and helps close the inequality gap in its treatment. 

“We want there to be fewer strokes and for the people affected by stroke to have the treatment and support they need to recover, irrespective of their ethnicity. Programmes like this pave the way for the future and can help to tackle health inequalities.”