That this House recognises the human and financial costs of atrial fibrillation (AF) and that its prevalence is likely to double over the next 50 years; further recognises dronedarone as a first-in-class anti-arrhythmic drug, and the only anti-arrhythmic medication known to improve long-term cardiac health in AF patients; notes with concern that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued draft guidance proposing to deny the use of dronedarone to patients in England and Wales; believes that it is a fundamental principle of the NHS that patients and doctors should have a choice in therapy options; understands that many people with AF who currently struggle to manage the condition would benefit from access to this treatment and that its use would yield considerable cost savings in the longer term through reduced hospital admissions and reduced incidence of stroke; further recognises the widespread dismay among both clinicians and patients at the NICE draft guidelines on dronedarone and the late and unhelpful timing of its publication on Christmas Eve 2009; supports the Atrial Fibrial Association's campaign to enable those treated by the NHS to have access to this medicine and for NICE to review its decision at a second NICE Appraisal Committee meeting to be held on 24 February 2010; and calls on NICE to ensure that patients, carers and health professionals are permitted to give evidence at this meeting.

That this House recognises the human and financial costs of atrial fibrillation (AF) and that its prevalence is likely to double over the next 50 years; further recognises dronedarone as a first-in-class anti-arrhythmic drug, and the only anti-arrhythmic medication known to improve long-term cardiac health in AF patients; notes with...

That this House congratulates Arrhythmia Alliance, the Heart Rhythm Charity, a coalition of healthcare professionals, patients and carers to promote better understanding, diagnosis, treatment and quality of life of individuals with cardiac arrhythmias, or heart rhythm disorders, for organising Arrhythmia Awareness Week from 8 to 14 June 2009; welcomes the Know Your Pulse initiative which aims to encourage people to have their pulse checked; notes that more than one per cent. of the population is affected by atrial flutter (AF), the most common type of heart rhythm disturbance; recognises that people with AF have a dramatically reduced quality of life and face long-term serious complications including a high risk of having a stroke; further notes that 100,000 sudden cardiac deaths occur each year due to cardiac arrhythmias, and that 120,000 unexplained incidences of loss of consciousness occur due to cardiac arrhythmia; believes that the early identification of heart rhythm disorders is crucial in reducing the number of premature deaths from heartbeat disorders; and calls on the Government to make heart rhythm disorders a priority by ensuring pulse checks are taken during a routine visit to a GP surgery, to promote timely diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders.

That this House congratulates Arrhythmia Alliance, the Heart Rhythm Charity, a coalition of healthcare professionals, patients and carers to promote better understanding, diagnosis, treatment and quality of life of individuals with cardiac arrhythmias, or heart rhythm disorders, for organising Arrhythmia Awareness Week from 8 to 14 June 2009; welcomes the...

That this House notes that 14th December is the 200th anniversary of the death of George Washington; recalls the War of Independence with Britain which led to George Washington becoming the first President of the United States; salutes the massive contribution which the United States has made in the intervening years to freedom and liberty in the world; and rejoices at the warm and continual links with the United States, especially at parliamentary level, through the work of the British American Parliamentary Group.

That this House notes that 14th December is the 200th anniversary of the death of George Washington; recalls the War of Independence with Britain which led to George Washington becoming the first President of the United States; salutes the massive contribution which the United States has made in the intervening...

That this House deplores the refusal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to answer parliamentary questions about his use of RAF and chartered aeroplanes; calls upon him to provide the information requested, as all his Cabinet colleagues have, including the Prime Minister; and reminds him that he is answerable to this House for his actions as a minister.

That this House deplores the refusal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to answer parliamentary questions about his use of RAF and chartered aeroplanes; calls upon him to provide the information requested, as all his Cabinet colleagues have, including the Prime Minister; and reminds him that he is answerable to...