asked the Minister for Health in relation to the guidelines set down by the British Coronary Prevention Group which were published in the British Medical Journal on 14 November 1987 which recommended that (1) doctors in general practice and in hospitals should assess patients for risk factors, that is, family history smoking habits, hypertension for coronary heart disease; (2) priority should be given to informing patients with a particular high risk of heart disease; (3) every adult should be tested for blood pressure, at least every five years; and the proposals he has to adopt these guidelines.
Written Answers. - Health Guidelines.
243.
I have seen the article to which the Deputy refers. As the House will be aware I am in the process of setting up the necessary administrative structure to enable me to develop a broad health promotion policy. When it is operational I shall be asking the new advisory council on health promotion to advise me on such issues as the initiation of effective measures to counter the high rate of mortality from coronary heart disease. In doing so I am sure that the council will have regard to the guidelines suggested by the British Coronary Prevention Group.