First heart framework areas reviewed

The Commission for Health Improvement and the Audit Commission have published the first four area reviews on progress in implementing the national service framework on coronary heart disease.Hambleton and Richmondshire, West Suffolk, Croydon and Plymouth were the first to be assessed.Plymouth was praised for its well-established cardiac network and access to specialist heart surgery services, but the report says that it should also focus on providing quality services for people who had heart attacks or suffer from other coronary syndromes.CHI and the Audit Commission will review a total of 26 areas and a national report will be published at the end of this year.

www. chi. nhs. uk See comment, page 15.