Atrial Fibrillation Report a First for Scotland

By theorkneynews on January 29, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

Maree Todd MSP

Local MSP Maree Todd, SNP has welcomed a report on Atrial Fibrillation.

Maree Todd who was Co-convener of the cross party committee in the Scottish Parliament until she was Minster for Childcare and Early Years said:

“This is an example of our Scottish Parliament at its finest; a cross party group of MSPs working together with health professionals, academics, charities, as well as patients themselves, to improve health in Scotland.”

The report puts forward 10 recommendations for the Scottish Government.

It can be viewed and downloaded here: A Focus on Atrial Fibrillation in Scotland .

Scotland has an important opportunity tackle the burden of stroke by focusing on Atrial Fibrillation (AF), a major cause of stroke.

The report, published last week following a ground-breaking inquiry into AF, says Scotland must identify people with AF who are undiagnosed and ensure that clear and consistent clinical pathways exist to optimise the treatment and management of everyone who has this condition.

The far-reaching inquiry is the first of its kind in Scotland into AF.

The group is made up of MSPs, clinicians, patients and third sector organisations, including British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland, Stroke Association and Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland.

Maree Todd said:

“Nearly 145,000 people in Scotland have this abnormal heart beat which could lead to a disabling or fatal stroke, but about a third of them are completely unaware.

“Even for those who know they have AF, the treatment they take is not always ideal. Sometimes, even though the correct drugs are prescribed, people don’t understand why they need to take them. This report makes recommendations to improve this.

“As Scotland’s population ages, the numbers of people with AF are likely to increase.

“We have the opportunity in Scotland to lead the world in tackling this because of the way we run our health service and the small size of the country – that’s a really exciting prospect.

“I am really pleased to have been involved in this inquiry which I hope will have a lasting impact.”