Today the UK Government has published the Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework to drive better prevention, earlier diagnosis, faster treatment and more consistent care across England.
The Government has restated its commitment to cut premature heart disease and stroke deaths by 25 per cent over the next decade and says the Framework supports delivery of the 10 Year Health Plan.
We helped to shape the outline of the Framework before its publication, in collaboration with other health experts, organisations, and patients.
Through our Hearts Need More campaign, we have long been calling for a comprehensive plan to fix the heart care crisis. Today’s publication is therefore a significant moment for heart patients.
The Framework will establish 12 immediate priorities over the next three years, setting out initiatives local health and care systems should deliver to cut deaths from heart disease and stroke, and reduce health inequalities.
Shifting the dial
The priorities include:
- Finding and supporting people with high-risk conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, diabetes and heart failure, to stay healthier for longer through better management and personalised care
- Ensuring people who have a heart attack or stroke receive faster, higher-quality treatment when every minute counts
- Improving access to rehabilitation and ongoing support so people can recover well and return to everyday life.
The Government says successful implementation of the Framework could prevent between 1,600 and 2,400 deaths in people aged under 75 annually from heart disease and stroke in the first three years, and between 3,850 and 4,900 such deaths per year after 10 years, while supporting wider efforts across the health and care system to improve outcomes.
The plan also acknowledges that more research and innovation is required to truly shift the dial on cardiovascular disease.
Further detail on how the plan will be delivered is to follow later this year.
Professor Bryan Williams, our Chief Scientific and Medical Officer, said: “Today’s publication cements cardiovascular disease as a national priority and is a significant step towards saving more lives from heart attack and stroke.
“With extraordinary pressure on the NHS, and cardiovascular disease claiming one life every four minutes in England, this focus on cardiovascular care cannot come too soon.
“We welcome plans to double down on prevention, as keeping people healthy, and preventing disease in the first place, is how we meet the scale of this challenge. It shows the Government is serious about its ambition to reduce early deaths.
“We look forward to working alongside Government to help deliver the change that patients need.”
Public Health Minister, Sharon Hodgson MP, said: “Thousands of lives are being cut short every year by preventable conditions. We know how to prevent and treat these conditions and we must do more to ensure people are getting the help they need.
“The new Cardiovascular Disease Modern Service Framework is an important step forward, committing local services to work together and deliver care for the people most in need. This is how we move from reactive care to prevention.”
Why our Hearts Need More
