Labour-Plaid Short Termism may Cost Lives

4.58.21pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 2nd Oct 2007

Jenny Randerson AM today remained disappointed with the short term approach of the Plaid-Labour Government towards the Welsh NHS when she questioned Rhodri Morgan on the Cardiac Rehabilitation services currently funded through the lottery and 'Inequalities in Health' funding.

"Rhodri says that LHBs should assess the merit of lottery funded projects such as the healthy hearts project and look to fund them if successful. However it is impossible for them to do this when they have such short term budgetary certainty and a serious funding shortfall including the LHB having to pay back debts of its predecessor. Preventative measures will never get funded even though they save money and lives.

"The Government must take a lead in ensuring that LHBs can fund projects which save long term money and lives. The project would only cost 10 to 15 thousand pounds and on basis of a 26% reduction in cardiac related deaths among participants then the costs of not having these services is significantly higher.

"I welcome the proposed improvements in the National Service Framework but I am sceptical that they will result in real action."

Notes:

Over the last 3 years Cardiff County Council has taken a proactive approach to providing an incentive to improve the health of Cardiff residents, with the "Healthy Hearts" club at Llanishen Leisure Centre. The club is a joint venture between Heath Hospital's Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit and the County Council's Sports & Leisure Department.

The sessions begin with a short discussion led by a qualified nurse from the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit on topics ranging from diet to stress management, followed by a gentle aerobics and relaxation period. This results in less pressure on A&E and other hospital services.

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