§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has on the cost-effectiveness of primary care practice nurses in relation to the effect of counselling on coronary heart disease risk factors.
§ Mr. SackvilleResearch studies are under way that include the evaluation of nurse-administered health checks and advice in general practice. Two studies published interim results in January 1994; the OXCHECK study conducted in general practices in Oxfordshire, and the Family Heart Study Group's trials. These interim reports questioned the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in relation to coronary heart disease prevention. The studies, however, were carried out before new arrangements for promoting health promotion in general practice were introduced on 1 July 1993. The new arrangements, which practice nurses have played a valuable part in implementing, focus particularly on coronary heart disease and are subject to continuing evaluation. The aim is to make optimum use of the skills of primary health care teams in monitoring and tackling the coronary heart disease risk factors in the population that they serve. A conference has been planned for later this year to consider the most recent research findings and their implications for further work in this area. Copies of the report can be found in theBritish Medical Journal of 29 January, which is available in the Library.