Charities Launch 'Destination 2020' - A Call For New Cardiac And Vascular Plan - 100,000 Sign Petition Backing Call

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Also Included In: Heart Disease
Article Date: 26 Mar 2009 - 0:00 PST

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The Cardio & Vascular Coalition (CVC), a group of 41 charities representing patients, charities doctors and nurses, today (Thursday 26 March) published proposals on how the Government should approach the fight against cardiac and vascular health, including heart, stroke, kidney disease and diabetes, over the next decade.

The report entitled 'Destination 2020' calls for a new plan in England which will incorporate coronary heart disease but also related conditions such as stroke, diabetes and kidney disease. This will also address key areas of need including preventative measures, congenital conditions, acute and chronic conditions, rehabilitation and end of life care. The case for a new plan has been backed by over 100,000 people who have signed their name to a BHF petition.

The National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease in England was a 10-year plan of action launched in 2000. The Framework has overseen significant achievements - the target for reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease for people under 75 by 40% was met five years early (1). Ongoing strategies for diabetes, stroke and kidney disease have been similarly effective in driving improvements in services and health.

Betty McBride, Chair of the CVC and Director of Policy and Communications at the British Heart Foundation, said: "The Government have made huge strides over the last ten years improving the treatment and care people receive. They have shown what can be done by focusing the talent and resources of the health service under one umbrella plan."

"But without a future plan we run the risk of that progress slipping away. We need a coherent integrated policy and not promises of reviews if we are to meet the health challenges ahead.

"Welcome Government initiatives like the Vascular Checks Programme will identify thousands of extra patients, however, we would like to see more information about what support they will be given.

"Patients, charities, doctors and nurses have come up with a vision of how to tackle the country's leading cause of death. We want the Government to pick up this gauntlet and come up with a new plan to galvanise and direct the work of the health service for the next decade."

Heart disease, kidney disease, stroke and diabetes affect the lives of over 4 million people in England, cause 170,000 deaths a year, and are responsible for one fifth of all hospital admissions. (2)

(1) Department of Health 2009: 'The Coronary Heart Disease National Service Framework, Building on excellence, maintaining progress' Progress report for 2008.

(2) Department of Health (2008a) Putting Prevention First Vascular Checks: risk assessment and management.

The CVC is a national coalition of 41 voluntary organisations with an interest in promoting and protecting cardiac and vascular health in England. The CVC is committed to working with and influencing central and local government, health and social care commissioners, service planners and policy makers to ensure that cardiac and vascular health is high on their agendas.

The CVC campaign focuses on England, as the National Service Framework for CHD in England was launched in 2000 as a ten year programme of action. Similar frameworks in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will remain in use by health services in those countries until 2011 and beyond.

Source
British Heart Foundation

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