Department of Health

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Vascular

Vascular disease includes coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease. It currently affects the lives of over 4 million people in England. It causes 36 per cent of deaths (170,000) a year in England) and is responsible for a fifth of all hospital admissions. It is the largest single cause of long-term ill health and disability, impairing the quality of life for many people. The burden of this disease falls disproportionately on people living in deprived conditions and on particular ethnic groups such as South Asians. Vascular disease accounts for the largest part of the health inequalities in our society.

On 7th January, 2008, the Prime Minister announced that the Secretary of State for Health would be setting out plans for the NHS to provide a series of tests to identify vulnerability to heart and circulation problems. These plans were set out on 1st April, 2008, outlining the modelling work that DH had undertaken to establish how a systematic, integrated programme of vascular checks might assess and manage risk and whether this would be clinically and cost effective.

The Department of Health will talk to stakeholders about how to implement a programme of vascular checks across England.

Putting Prevention First

Vascular Checks: risk assessment and management

Published: 01/04/08

This document sets out the plans for the NHS to introduce a systematic and integrated programme of vascular risk assessment and management for those aged between 40 and 74. It explains in more depth what vascular disease is, why undertaking risk assessment and management is important, and how these checks might be performed throughout England. It calls for stakeholders to work with the Department of Health to help develop the approach to implementation and delivery over the next few months.

Vascular Programme Briefing Pack

Providing the ten new health authorities with an assessment of progress, opportunities and future challenges in key areas of vascular disease.

Vascular Diseases – Existing Policies

Each of the four main vascular diseases are covered by National Service Frameworks or National Strategies.

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