Westminster
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Atrial Fibrillation (APGAF)
The AFA is supporting the establishment of a new parliamentary group in Westminster to champion awareness of atrial fibrillation (AF). The All-Party Parliamentary Group on AF (APGAF), which held its first meeting in the Palace of Westminster during World Heart Rhythm Week 2011, is made up of MPs and peers from across the political spectrum.
The elected Chair of the Group is Glyn Davies, Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire, who himself has a diagnosis of AF. The Vice Chairs are Labour MP for Bridgend Madeleine Moon, Conservative Peer Lord Colwyn and Liberal Democrat Peer Lord Jones of Cheltenham.
The Launch Event
At the inaugural meeting in the Palace of Westminster, where CEO and Founder of the AFA Trudie Lobban spoke to parliamentarians about the work of the AFA; Professor Sir Roger Boyle, National Director for Heart Disease and Stroke at the Department of Health, outlined the progress made in the management of AF. In addition, he examined the challenges facing the NHS in detecting, and caring for patients with AF. MPs and peers also learnt about the awareness raising work of the AFA as part of World Heart Rhythm Week.
Speaking after the meeting, Trudie Lobban said:
“The APGAF will work to ensure the diagnosis, care, treatment, management and research of AF is a priority for the NHS. As we come to a critical juncture in the NHS reforms in England, it is important that patients with AF have a greater say in their care, and for the NHS to ensure that there are better diagnosis and treatment options available to patients with AF. I am delighted that the AFA is able to play a crucial part in establishing this group.”
Glyn Davies MP added:
“Atrial Fibrillation is an issue that is very important to me and I am delighted to have been elected to Chair the APGAF. As an AF patient myself, I know the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of AF in order to receive an early diagnosis and the appropriate treatment. I look forward to working with my fellow parliamentarians to raise awareness of AF and make this Group a resounding success.”
APGAF meetings to date:
Wednesday 25th January 2012, AFA holds Parliamentary event to promote Quality Standards for patients.
Glyn Davies MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on AF (Conservative, Montgomeryshire) recently hosted an event in the House of Commons to highlight the importance of promoting high quality standards of care for patients. Speaking alongside him was CEO and Founder of the AFA, Trudie Lobban, and two patient speakers, Martin and Chris. Read more
Tuesday 25th October 2011,The APGAF met in Westminster for the second time. Read more
Parliamentary Debates
Topic: Stroke care
On Monday 30th January 2012, a debate on stroke care took place in the House of Lords, for a summary of the discussion see below.
During the debate, Earl Howe was questioned by Baroness Wheeler about the replacement of Sir Roger Boyle and the absence of effective clinical leadership for heart disease:
“On the question of leadership at national level, the Department of Health's continuing failure to appoint at least an interim National Clinical Lead for Heart Disease and Stroke, following the resignation of Sir Roger Boyle has caused much concern, and has led to precisely the leadership vacuum that we must avoid at this critical transition phase. Moreover, the number of staff in the vascular team at the department has also significantly declined during this time. Meanwhile, there are still national clinical directors for other major areas, such as cancer, diabetes and respiratory disease. Can the Minister explain how the Government justify not filling the heart disease and stroke post, even on an interim basis? How is this leadership role currently being undertaken, and how will he ensure that the Commissioning Board has the expertise to advise and deliver on stroke strategy without it?”
In response Earl Howe said:
“The replacement of the National Clinical Director for Heart Disease and Stroke is being considered as part of the development of the NHS Commissioning Board, but I would just say generally that improving stroke services is a priority for the Government, and there should be no doubt about that. It is a priority against which we shall hold the NHS Commissioning Board to account. Tackling premature mortality from stroke is an area for improvement in both the NHS outcomes framework and the public health outcomes framework.”
Furthermore, with reference to the development of the Outcomes Strategy for Cardiovascular Disease, Earl Howe said:
“Identifying how we can deliver better outcomes in cardiovascular disease, including stroke, is a key task. This is one of our biggest killers and causes of adult disability. That is why my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health recently announced the development of an outcomes strategy for cardiovascular disease, building on existing strategies and the national service framework. I hope that the noble Baroness, Lady Wheeler, will see this as good news. The aim of the strategy is to create a joined-up approach across the NHS, public health and social care to improve outcomes for patients with CVD, which includes stroke survivors. This will mean even more stroke survivors living active and fulfilling lives.”
For the full transcript of the debate, click here
Parliamentary Q and As
Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Health
Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what consideration he has given to the inclusion of pulse checks as a compulsory part of NHS health checks for the purposes of achieving early diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (86541).
In addition, Glyn Davies MP has asked the Leader of the House whether the Government would allow time on the floor of the House to debate AF. Sir George Young replied that he would take it up with the Secretary of State for Health:
Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con): Yesterday an important report on atrial fibrillation was published. AF is a condition that, through lack of awareness, leads to a huge number of deaths and disability as a result of the much increased risk of strokes. Will the Leader of the House ensure that we have an opportunity to raise awareness of atrial fibrillation by having a debate on the Floor of the House?
Sir George Young: The Government are anxious to improve the diagnosis, detection and treatment of atrial fibrillation. Some work is going on at the moment to identify those at risk so that they can be helped at an earlier stage. We work closely with the Atrial Fibrillation Association and the Stroke Association on this issue. I will draw this to the attention of the Secretary of State for Health.
Health Services: Males
Mr Virendra Sharma: Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, (1) what steps he is taking to ensure cardiovascular disease in men is diagnosed as early as possible[84285]; (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that type 2 diabetes in men is diagnosed as early as possible [84286].
You can view the question and answer in full here
Heart Diseases
Glyn Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the publication of a quality standard for atrial fibrillation [82761].
Mr Simon Burns: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) jointly with the National Quality Board recently ran an engagement exercise on the development of a library of NICE Quality Standard topics for the national health service. The list of proposed Quality Standard topics published as part of this exercise included atrial fibrillation. The engagement exercise closed on 14 October 2011.
Further information on the engagement exercise can be found here.
An announcement on next steps will be made once the responses have been analysed.
Heart Diseases: Strokes
Glyn Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to appoint a National Clinical Director for heart disease and stroke [82760].
Mr Simon Burns: Future arrangements for the provision of senior clinical advice are being discussed as part of developing the role of the NHS Commissioning Board.
Michael Connarty MP shared his letter received from Glyn Davis MP about ACT on AF Friday and the rising incidence of AF. View
Earl Howe answered Lord Laird’s written question on the level of information about arrhythmia available to the medical community. In his answer he mentioned the AFA by name and drew attention to the development of the national GP questionnaire
You can view the question and answer in full here
L to R: Professor Sir Roger Boyle, Glyn Davies MP, Madeleine Moon MP, Trudie Lobban, Lord Jones of Cheltenham & Lord Colwyn
AFA CEO & Founder Trudie Lobban MBE and newly elected Chair Glyn Davies MP having his pulse checked as part of World Heart Rhythm Week