§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what services are available to those who survive heart attacks; and how often these patients were observed after leaving hospital in the last 12 months. [57817]
§ Ms BlearsThe "National Service Framework" (NSF) for coronary heart disease, published in March 2000, sets out the standards of care for the national health service and others to help people who have had a heart attack, with action for secondary care, primary care and rehabilitation services.
The immediate priority identified in the NSF is increasing the use of effective medication for patients who have had a heart attack, following discharge from hospital. Effective medication includes aspirin, statins, beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors. Prescribing will depend on individual circumstances. The myocardial infarction national audit project established by the Royal College of Physicians indicates that the targets set out in the NSF for prescription of effective medication are now being achieved nationally.
How often patients are observed after leaving hospital will depend on individual patient needs.