Heart disease treatment risks being 'diluted' by SNP plans
In an open letter to public health minister Jenni Minto, medics have called for a rethink.
Cardiovascular deaths in adults aged 20 to 64 in Scotland rose by 14% from 2,032 in 2019 to 2,3244 in 2023.
Experts expressed "deep concern" at the lack of strategic thinking in the consultation, adding the current plans have the "potential to have significant unintended negative impacts on cardiology services'.
The letter co-ordinated by BHF Scotland said: 'We are deeply concerned that within the reasoning of this consultation and suggested approach the way in which resources and focus will be prioritised has not been sufficiently detailed.
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'Given the substantial impact of heart disease on individuals and the healthcare system, it is imperative that strategic thinking and focused efforts and directed towards this condition.'
Previous resources allocated for the improvement of heart disease have also been described as 'wholly insufficient', with just £3 million committed to two heart disease plans over the last decade.
The Scottish Government's new consultation document suggests measures to improve overall healthcare quality and while this is welcome by BHF, experts warned it 'risks diluting the attention and resources needed to enable the improvement of cardiology services in Scotland'.
The letter added: 'Heart disease management involves unique challenges, including early detection, timely intervention and ongoing management of risk factors, which cannot be effectively addressed through a generalised framework.'
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The letter urges the Scottish Government to strengthen its commitment to treating the condition by delivering a refreshed and fully funded Heart Disease Action Plan.
A plan was first developed alongside experts in 2021 and while a cross-party group acknowledged "important progress," it found that implementation had suffered from a lack of resource given to cardiology.
Scottish Labour Health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: 'Experts are sounding the alarm about the SNP's plans and Ministers cannot bury their heads in the sand.
'Heart disease is one of Scotland's biggest killers and it is baffling that the SNP seems to be scaling back its focus on cardiovascular health.
'Lives are already being put at risk by the SNP's reckless mismanagement of our NHS, but SNP ministers have no idea how to fix this crisis or build the NHS patients deserve.
'The SNP must listen to these warnings and ensure it has a real plan to tackle heart disease and supports cardiovascular services, as well as taking action on other long-term conditions.'
A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'We are determined to reduce avoidable cardiovascular deaths, including stroke, by a fifth over 20 years by ensuring people receive timely and high-quality care. That is why by March next year, we are providing extra GP appointments to support 100,000 patients who may be at risk, due to obesity, smoking, or high blood sugar, blood pressure or cholesterol as part of our cardiovascular disease risk factors programme and has particular focus on supporting people living in areas of deprivation.'
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