A Heart and Circulatory Disease Plan for Wales
We want to beat heartbreak caused by heart and circulatory diseases in Wales. To do this, we need to improve the detection, diagnosis, treatment and care of people who develop a heart or circulatory condition in their lifetime.
There have been improvements in survival from acute heart and circulatory events over previous decades. This is positive progress, but challenges remain. 340,000 people across Wales are living with heart and circulatory diseases, and 9,600 deaths each year are caused by these conditions.
The Welsh Government’s plan for improving outcomes for patients with heart conditions is coming to an end, and a new plan is needed to ensure this remains a priority.
British Heart Foundation Cymru has been across Wales asking the public and our healthcare community what the next Welsh Government can do to help improve our heart health. We are launching a new plan for heart and circulatory disease in Wales, and we hope to see all Welsh political parties committing to this.
Download our manifesto briefing
Our engagement process
BHF Cymru undertook a large engagement and evidence gathering programme between 2018 and 2020. In order to gain a deeper understanding of how to overcome the issues faced in heart and circulatory disease care in Wales, we wanted to explore thought on improving patient outcomes, uncover clinical experiences and consider potential solutions.
Our engagement included talking with clinicians from across all sectors and workplaces in Wales, discussing topics such as high-risk conditions, improving access to diagnostics tests and treatments, and reimagining cardiac rehabilitation services.
We also travelled across Wales to hold two patient-centred roundtables and visited eight of our BHF Home Stores to hear from members of the general public.
We spoke directly to patients and carers about their personal experiences and heard what people in Wales thought the Welsh Government could do to support them lead healthy and happy lives.
Take a look at the below animation video for more information on our Heart and Circulatory Disease Plan
Download our Executive Summary
Online launch event
The full results of these conversations were published in the form of a Heart and Circulatory Disease Plan for Wales, and was launched at an online event on 2 December 2020 attended by David Rees MS (Welsh Labour), Andrew RT Davies MS (Welsh Conservatives) and Rhun ap Iorwerth MS (Plaid Cymru).