Health and Social Care Committee
Inquiry into Stroke Risk Reduction
SRR 16 – Royal College of Physicians
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Committee Clerk Health and Social Care Committee National Assembly for Wales Cardiff Bay CF99 1NA
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Direct tel: +44 (0)20 1234 5678 julie.beckwith@rcplondon.ac.uk |
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15 September 2011 |
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Dear Sir or Madam
Re: Inquiry into Stroke Risk Reduction
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) plays a leading role in the delivery of high quality patient care by setting standards of medical practice and promoting clinical excellence. We provide physicians in the United Kingdom and overseas with education, training and support throughout their careers. As an independent body representing over 25,000 Fellows and Members worldwide, we advise and work with government, the public, patients and other professions to improve health and healthcare.
The RCP is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the above Inquiry. We would like to make the following comments.
What is the current provision of stroke risk reduction services and how effective are the Welsh Government’s policies in addressing any weaknesses in these services?
Unable to comment
What are your views on the implementation of the Welsh Government’s Stroke Risk Reduction Action Plan and whether action to raise public awareness of the risk factors for stroke has succeeded?
The Welsh Government’s Stroke Risk Reduction Action Plan appears to recommend the continuation of the provision of generic advice on the acquisition and maintenance of good health to the public. Only a formal study will show if this has been successful in reducing the incidence of stroke in the community.
What are the particular problems in the implementation and delivery of stroke risk reduction actions?
This is a Public Health – Primary Care issue
What evidence exists in favour of an atrial fibrillation screening programme being launched in Wales?
Fitzmaurice et al: BMJ 2007;335:383-6 ‘Conclusion - Active screening for atrial fibrillation detects additional cases over current practice. The preferred method of screening in patients aged 65 or over in primary care is opportunistic pulse taking with follow-up electrocardiography’ The over 65s are the higher risk group.
The UK NSC policy on Atrial Fibrillation screening in adults is that screening should not be offered. (http://www.screening.nhs.uk/atrialfibrillation) based on evidence from Health Technology Assessment 2005; Vol 9: number 40.
Yours faithfully
Dr Patrick Cadigan
Registrar