NHS makes ‘outstanding’ progress in heart disease treatment

The Department of Health has announced that the NHS has made significant progress in the treatment of heart disease.

According to the Coronary Heart Disease National Service Framework Progress Report published this week, the NHS has met the target or reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease in people aged under 75 by 40 per cent five years ahead of schedule.

This success has been ascribed to a speedier delivery of emergency care, reduction in the waiting times for surgery, increased prescriptions for cholesterol-reducing statins and the achievements of the 735 million pound capital programme to treat people with coronary heart disease.

Ann Keen, health minister, said; “We have made ongoing and sustainable improvements to the treatment of heart disease that have dramatically reduced mortality rates.

“This is an outstanding achievement by all NHS staff and I would like to pay tribute to all the hard work and dedication that has made it possible.”

She added that the investments through the capital programme has improved patient diagnoses and lowered waiting times.

In December 2006, statistics from the health service’s Better Care, Better Value indicators revealed that more efficient prescription of anti-cholesterol drugs could save the NHS millions of pounds.