HL Deb 29 April 1993 vol 545 cc20-1WA
Lord Colwyn

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will specify the precise strategy and estimate the cost of their proposal to reduce deaths from cardiovascular disease in the United Kingdom by 40 per cent. by the year 2000, as set out in the Health of the Nation White Paper; and whether they will define the role of coronary artery bypass grafts and balloon angioplasty in that strategy and state whether they intend to examine other alternative treatments for coronary heart disease such as magnesium EDTA chelation therapy infusions; and

Whether they support calls from the medical profession in favour of the surgical treatment of coronary artery disease by coronary artery bypass graft and balloon angioplasty, for a tripling of the number of these operations by such methods in the United Kingdom.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)

Prevention will play a significant part in achieving the targets set in the Government's White Paper "The Health of the Nation" for coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. Targets have been set for reductions in risk factors—smoking, alcohol, diet and blood pressure. Action to meet targets is taking place in a number of areas including the workplace, the National Health Service, the joint Department of Health/Health Education Authority Look After Your Heart (LAYH) campaign, local authorities and voluntary organisations. It is not possible to estimate the total cost but the LAYH programme is funded to £3 million in 1993–94.

The Government also intend to ensure that improvements in treatment continue including the number of coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG) and angioplasties. The role of angioplasties compared with CABGs is currently being researched in Randomised Intervention Treatment of Angina (RITA 1) study part funded by the Department of Health.

The advisory group for setting NHS research and development priorities for cardiovascular disease has recommended 18 broad areas for consideration, including coronary artery bypass grafts and angioplasties. EDTA chelation is not specifically cited as a national priority for research and development but may feature under regional programmes.

Ministers receive expert advice from the medical profession, and national targets are set based on that advice. There are currently no plans to change these targets. However, it is for local purchasing authorities to establish local population needs in the light of Department of Health guidance and local population data.