HC Deb 08 July 1991 vol 194 cc262-3W
20. Mr. Simon Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on progress in combating coronary heart disease in Wales.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

In May 1991 the Department published comprehensive and authoritative advice to the NHS in Wales entitled "Protocol for Investment in Health Gain: Cardiovascular Diseases" which has been well received.

In addition, the Heartbeat Wales programme, which is run by the Health Promotion Authority for Wales, continues to combat the high incidence of coronary heart disease in Wales. The authority has distributed advice to GPs and other health professionals on the management of blood cholesterol levels and is organising seminars to outline cholesterol guidelines. Preliminary evaluation of the first five years of the Heartbeat Wales programme shows encouraging trends with smoking and excess drinking decreasing and more people in Wales taking exercise.