Addressing the CVD Crisis in the Liverpool City Region
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality in the UK, with approximately 7.6 million people living with the condition.
The Liverpool City Region face significant challenges, with CVD mortality rates exceeding the national average and physical inactivity reaching levels of 27–30% in the most deprived wards.
Despite evidence that regular physical activity can reduce CVD risk by 20–30%, a “treatment-first” culture often takes precedence over preventative lifestyle interventions in primary care.
Empowering Healthcare Professionals through Preventative Education
The primary objective for SO Health was to deliver a high-impact training session for NHS staff and nurses to shift the focus toward a holistic, preventative approach.
The specific tasks included:
- Knowledge Transfer: Educating staff on the physiological mechanisms of how physical activity improves blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profiles.
- Guideline Integration: Aligning clinical practice with NICE PH44 guidelines for delivering brief physical activity advice.
- Skill Building: Equipping practitioners with communication frameworks to handle opportunistic health conversations effectively within time-constrained appointments.
Implementing the SO Health Holistic Training Framework
SO Health developed and delivered The Role of Physical Activity in CVD Prevention, an interactive session that combined clinical evidence with practical application:
- Motivational Interviewing (MI): Training staff in a 5-step MI structure (Engage, Explore, Evoke, Plan, Support) to help patients overcome barriers to movement.
- Holistic Techniques: Introducing Resonance Breathing (5-6 breaths per minute) as a tool to calm the nervous system and manage the stress/anxiety often associated with heart health.
- Collaborative Goal Setting: Teaching the use of SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to ensure patient plans were sustainable.
- Localised Resource Mapping: Providing a curated Fact Sheet of local assets, such as the Live Well Directory, Lifestyles Fitness Centres, and Merseyside Sport Partnership, to ensure staff could signpost patients to accessible community support.
The Result: Measurable Shifts in Professional Confidence and Engagement
The session delivered by SO Health yielded exceptional feedback and tangible professional development outcomes:
- Outstanding Delivery: The SO Health trainer received a 5-star average rating, with 57% of participants rating the session as “Excellent.”
- Increased Clinical Confidence: 86% of participants reported feeling more confident in advising patients on physical activity for CVD prevention (57% strongly agree, 29% agree).
- Evidence-Based Quality: 100% of attendees agreed that the presentation content was evidence-based and up-to-date.
- Practical Impact: Participants concluded the session by committing to specific actions to be implemented in their practice within 14 days, directly translating the training into improved patient care.
