First Minister’s Questions

Cardiac Conditions
 
14:00
 Janet Finch-Saunders
4. Will the First Minister make a statement on the treatment of cardiac conditions in Wales? OAQ(4)2036(FM)
 
14:01

Carwyn Jones / The First Minister
Yes. The heart disease delivery plan sets out action to prevent heart disease and to provide patients with timely access to high-quality care. The latest annual report shows that we are making considerable progress.
 
14:01
 Janet Finch-Saunders
Thank you. A recent report shows, too, that only 38% of patients in Wales who have suffered a heart attack, had bypass surgery or angioplasty actually receive cardiac rehabilitation. That is almost 5,000 people who are missing the opportunity to access potentially life-saving intervention. Given that such a service has the potential to reduce cardiac mortality by up to 39%, what is your Welsh Government doing to increase the take-up of cardiac rehabilitation in Wales?
 
14:01
 
Carwyn Jones/The First Minister
Well, I am aware of the British Heart Foundation report on cardiac rehab. It does, of course, make reference to the need for further improvement in some areas, but it also shows that, for patients who have a heart attack and receive I think it’s primary percutaneous coronary intervention, the uptake of cardiac rehabilitation is at nearly 80%. What is now needed, of course—and we’re aware of the challenge—is to make sure that good practice extends to all cardiac patients, not just those in that category.