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Written question asked by Philippa Whitford (Scottish National Party) on Tuesday, 6 September 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 September 2022 (named day). It was answered by Will Quince (Conservative) on Wednesday, 21 September 2022 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Heart Diseases: Diagnosis

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what services breathlessness clinics will provide to support the early detection of heart valve disease; and whether those clinics will refer patients for auscultation using a stethoscope in primary care or community diagnostic centres.

Answer

NHS England has assessed that the use of clinical auscultation using a stethoscope is not a sensitive way of identifying the presence and clinical significance of heart valve disease or the detection of heart murmurs.

To support the early detection and diagnosis of heart valve disease NHS England has committed to launch at least 100 community diagnostic centres (CDCs) by 2024/25. These CDCs will provide services to detect heart murmurs, which are characteristic of heart valve and cardiovascular disease, through physiological measurement tests such as echocardiography and electrocardiograms, pathology tests, computerised tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans.

In addition, the National Health Service is investing in cardiac networks to support whole pathway improvements. These networks have been developed to take an evidenced based, clinically led, whole pathway approach to improvement from prevention, diagnosis, treatment and end-of-life care.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
48381
Session
2022-23
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Clinics Diagnosis Heart diseases Primary care Community diagnostic centres
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk