Guernsey’s Familial Hypercholesterolemia screening service has been shortlisted for a national award, recognising the dedication, innovation and community spirit that has made the programme such a success.
The clinic, based at Queens Road Medical Practice, has been nominated in the Public Health and Preventive Medicine category at the General Practice Awards 2025.
Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common inherited condition which, if untreated, can lead to heart attacks at a young age. While fewer than 10% of people living with the condition are diagnosed in the UK, Guernsey has already identified 25% of the predicted number of patients with the condition with 55 patients having received a genetic diagnosis in Guernsey. Within Queens Road Medical Practice, this figure has risen to an incredible 40%.
Since its launch in 2018, the FH screening service has provided free testing and support for islanders due to generous funding. Thanks to the recent backing of a private benefactor this has now been secured for a further three years building on the backing that the project originally received from Health and Social Care, and Butterfield.
Through a combination of blood testing, genetic screening, and family follow ups, 55 islanders have been diagnosed so far, many of these diagnoses being before they showed signs of high cholesterol. By starting treatment early, the clinic has been able to reduce the risks these patients would otherwise face.
Dr Mat Dorrian, FH Clinic Lead, said: “This nomination is not just for the clinic team; it is for everyone who has supported us along the way. This is the first FH screening clinic to be run from General Practice in the UK, combining NHS specialist nurse expertise with primary care delivery on-island. We believe it could provide a blueprint for how the service could be set up in many other jurisdictions.”
Rob Jordan, Practice Manger at Queens Road Medical Practice said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Guernsey, the FH team, and Queens Road. Our community has shown how by working together, we can deliver world-class healthcare locally.
“This shortlisting is a proud moment and a celebration of what can be achieved through vision, partnership and community generosity.”
