HC Deb 17 March 1998 vol 308 cc589-90W
Mr. Stinchcombe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list NHS cardiac rehabilitation units indicating which operate an upper age limit. [34321]

Mr. Milburn

A list of units is not held centrally but an audit of cardiac rehabilitation centres published in 1995 and funded by the National Health Service Executive showed that in 1993 there were 199 centres in England and Wales which offered a cardiac rehabilitation service.

The White Paper "The New NHS" makes it clear that fair access to health services, based on clinical need, irrespective of age, is one of our top priorities.

Evidence from recent studies shows that many heart patients can benefit from rehabilitation programmes whatever their age. Health authorities and NHS trusts have been advised to eliminate all discriminatory practices and to ensure that all patients who can benefit from such programmes are given the opportunity to do so.

We are determined to tackle any remaining problems of access.