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Vascular Sector Reform
10 September 2026
Lead MP
Jim Shannon
Strangford
DUP
Responding Minister
James Frith
Tags
EmploymentNorthern IrelandScotlandChildren & FamiliesNHS
Word Count: 9880
Other Contributors: 4
At a Glance
Jim Shannon raised concerns about vascular sector reform in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Shannon called on the government to ensure the cardiovascular disease modern service framework includes distinct pathways and outcome measures for vascular conditions. He also asked the Minister to support a national foot attack pathway and clear waiting time standards, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and timely care. Mr Ahmed urges the Minister to consider the asks from the Circulation Foundation and the APPG, particularly focusing on the national foot attack pathway with same-day or next-day triage services for urgent cases to prevent major limb amputation. He also asks for community foot protection services in every integrated care board and the implementation of national waiting time standards for in-patients and out-patients, alongside a shift from paying for activity and inputs to paying for outcomes. He further calls for support for innovation and the optimisation of the NHS app for end-to-end digital pathways.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Jim Shannon highlighted the pressing need for reform in lower limb vascular care, citing worrying statistics from Northern Ireland, including high amputation rates and rising diabetes prevalence. He noted that the risk of developing peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is four times higher among smokers and two to four times higher among people with diabetes. Shannon also mentioned that approximately 4,200 major lower-limb amputations occur annually due to PAD, each costing an average of £28,000 to the NHS. He emphasized the need for early intervention and prevention to address these issues. Mr Ahmed is concerned about the high burden of vascular disease in Scotland, particularly in Glasgow South West, where life expectancy and healthy life expectancy are declining despite higher NHS spending and resources compared to the rest of the country. He mentions that Scottish hospitals are treating fewer patients now than before the pandemic, unlike English hospitals, which have surpassed pre-pandemic levels under the Labour Government. He also points out the proposed massive restructuring of Scotland's NHS by the SNP Government without detailed consultation, which raises questions about who the changes serve and how their success or failure will be judged.
Helen Morgan
LD
North Shropshire
Ms Morgan highlighted the high prevalence of vascular disease in the UK, with 40% of deaths attributed to it, and discussed the impact on patient care, including the lack of care and avoidable harm due to fragmented pathways and referral routes. She mentioned a report indicating thousands of avoidable lower-limb amputations annually due to gaps in care and called for a consistent level of care across the country. Ms Morgan also addressed the need for a national foot attack pathway and community foot protection service, among other measures, to improve patient outcomes and reduce pressure on acute services. The speaker agreed with the minister's point on local commissioning but questioned whether empowering Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) through the Health Bill would lead to a more consistent level of service across the country.
Juliet Campbell
Lab
Nottingham North
Juliet Campbell highlighted the significant burden of heart failure, affecting over 1 million people in the UK. She noted that heart failure rates in her constituency's Eastwood and Inham Nook areas are more than double the national average, with four times higher death rates. She called for consistent national standards and targeted support for deprived, rural, and high-risk communities. She also emphasised the urgent need to move from crisis-driven care to early diagnosis and planned treatment, with NHS health checks including NT-proBNP blood tests to identify heart failure early. She stressed the importance of stronger links between primary care, community services, hospitals, and specialist centres, supported by a specialist workforce and increased diagnostic capacity.
Stratford-on-Avon
Neil Shastri-Hurst expressed concern about the lack of attention given to vascular disease compared to cancer or heart disease, highlighting that the consequences for patients can be extreme, such as pain, loss of mobility, and amputation. He noted that the APPG's report makes five practical recommendations but the modern service framework does not specifically address vascular or venous disease. He questioned the Government's plans to reduce ICB budgets and staffing levels and asked for the future role and responsibilities of national clinical directors for vascular and venous disease after NHS England's abolition. He also inquired about the introduction of national maximum waiting times for vascular assessment and revascularisation and the commitment to establish a national foot attack pathway.
Zubir Ahmed
Lab
Birmingham, Hodge Hill
The statistics highlighted by the hon. Gentleman should shock us all. He questions whether vascular disease, due to its different treatment compared to cancer, ends up being treated as a 'second-class' disease. The speaker questioned the effectiveness of the current NHS programme, stating that political will is crucial for change, and highlighted disparities in care between Scotland and his constituency.
Government Response
James Frith
Government Response
The Government are committed to reducing NHS waiting times and improving vascular care through the 10-year plan and the cardiovascular framework. The Minister highlighted the importance of earlier diagnoses, the establishment of a national foot attack pathway, and the need for local ICBs to understand and address local needs. He also mentioned the opening of four new community diagnostic centres and the strengthening of the podiatry workforce pipeline. The Minister discussed the adoption of new innovations, the development of the NHS app, and the creation of the single patient record. He emphasized the importance of prevention and reducing premature mortality from heart disease and stroke by a quarter within a decade.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.