The Scottish Government

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Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke in Scotland

Introduction

It is now two years since the Scottish Executive launched its CHD and Stroke Strategy and it is appropriate at this point to review the progress that is being made. This report examines where we are; what we are doing; and sets out the way ahead.

We set out progress on all aspects of the Strategy, looking at developments in prevention, improvements in diagnosis and we report on better, quicker treatment delivered by multi-disciplinary teams working in a co-ordinated way to explicit and measurable standards. The emphasis on individual priorities may vary from time to time and in different parts of the system, but must always reflect the needs of the patients and take account of national standards.

The Strategy is underpinned by three consistent principles of continuous, sustainable improvement in the service:

• patients must be at the centre of all decision making

• services perform to national standards and guidelines; with local implementation and (where appropriate) regional multi-disciplinary decision making to achieve them

• transparent prioritisation and investment processes that are publicly reported and for which we remain accountable

Progress and improvements are reported for all to see on our websites:

www.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/CHDwww.show.scot.nhs.uk/sehd/Stroke

As the Strategy moves into its third year, we are building on firm foundations. Managed Clinical Networks have now been established in every NHS Board area and they have benefited from new funds to develop innovative projects. As we move forward, we need to ensure that they remain key to the planning process for both CHD and stroke services.

Patients are at the centre of all our activities and for the first time in Scotland, they have been given a voice at the heart of both local and national policy development. We are grateful to the patients and their carers who give so freely of their time and enthusiasm to improve the service for others. As clinicians, we have learnt so much from hearing how patients perceive our services - and sometimes it can be quite sobering to find out we don't always get it right. But if we are to meet the Scottish Executive targets of reducing premature deaths from CHD by 60% and from stroke by 50% between 1995 and 2010, we have to embrace all feedback and act on it.

Scotland has taken huge strides in reducing levels of CHD and stroke over recent years and that is an enormous credit to clinicians, health promotion staff and many others. It is an enormous credit to the people of Scotland, who have taken the first tentative steps on the path to a healthier lifestyle. But other countries have made progress too. We must continue to strive for more, and we stand ready to play our parts.

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