I am very supportive of charitable organisations, particularly those that help provide healthcare, having worked with the NHS for several years.
I understand that far too many people lose their lives to cardiovascular disease and as one the largest causes of death in the UK, is a serious threat to our public health. I would like to therefore commend the vital work undertaken by the British Heart Foundation in both research and supporting those suffering from cardiovascular disease.
I hope to reassure you that the Government has undertaken measures to help tackle cardiovascular disease. The Government has published a Cardiovascular Disease Outcomes Strategy which sets out how survival rates can be improved and NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Heart Disease, Professor Huon Gray has established an advisory group to consider survival rates in cardiac arrests. Furthermore, The Departments of Health and Education have worked together to ensure discounted defibrillators are available in schools.
The Government is also providing support to those at risk of cardiovascular disease. All 40-74 Year Olds are entitle to a NHS check-up every five years. These consider risk factors based on, amongst others, family history and lifestyle and are able to identify those at risk and measures to reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. This prevents 1,600 heart attacks a year.
The National Institute for Health Research has committed £674m to biomedical research to translate scientific breakthrough into interventions that will improve patients’ outcomes, including those suffering from cardiovascular disease.
I have also spoken to the Chancellor to consider the cost benefit analysis of cutting science research funding. Given its benefits in preventing disease and providing employment, it is likely to demonstrate that spending on scientific research brings in greater revenues than it costs.