Written question asked by Brian Iddon (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 January 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 January 2010. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Cardiovascular System: Diseases

Question: (2) how many cardiovascular networks are undertaking activity related to (a) peripheral arterial disease and (b) co-ordinating network activity for peripheral arterial disease.

Answer: There are 28 cardiac and stroke networks in England. The networks were set up to support implementation of the Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) National Service Framework (2000) and the national Stroke Strategy (2007). The remit of these networks is to foster joint working, support commissioning and undertake service improvement exercises, resulting in better services and improved outcomes for cardiac and stroke patients. Their purpose is to ensure that individuals experience co-ordinated care from their first contact with services through to rehabilitation and support after discharge from hospital. They are also a key vehicle for involving patients and carers as active partners in co-ordinating and supporting service development. The networks receive support from the NHS Heart Improvement Programme and the NHS Stroke Improvement Programme which are part of the wider NHS Improvement Programme. Further information about the networks is given in the CHD National Service Framework and the national Stroke Strategy, copies of which have already been placed in the Library.The Department does not monitor the activity of the cardiac and stroke networks.

Secondary information