§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will circulate the recent report of the joint working party of the Royal College of Physicians and British Cardiac Society to every doctor in the country;
(2) what is his policy towards the main conclusions of the recent report of the joint working party of the Royal College of Physicians and British Cardiac Society; what action he intends to take in the light of it; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what action he intends to take to publicise those recommendations of the recent report of the joint working party of the Royal College of Physicians and British Cardiac Society with which he is in agreement.
§ Dr. OwenCoronary heart disease is a major and possibly increasing cause of death and disability. The joint working party has tried to produce the best possible advice which can at present be given to doctors for its prevention. Because so many of the risk factors for this disease are closely associated with patterns of social behaviour the health of the community lies to some degree in its own hands. Recommendations are, therefore, made which apply to the whole community in terms of diet, cigarette smoking, weight control and physical activity. But the general practitioner has a key rôle to play in recognising and giving advice to those persons considered to be at particularly high risk. The report defines these "high risk" groups and makes specific recommendations for the management of the individual risk factors. It is for individual doctors to determine the advice and treatment they give to their patients in the light of their own clinical judgment. The report, however, is an important contribution towards the prevention of coronary heart disease; and on the advice of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee the Chief Medical Officer will shortly be sending a copy of the report, which has already received wide publicity, to all doctors.