Roger Boyle: This is an opportunity to make a real difference

A leading York doctor has been chosen to spearhead the Government's new crusade against Britain's biggest killer - heart disease.

Cardiologist Dr Roger Boyle has been appointed Britain's first "heart tsar", it was announced today.

Dr Boyle, who has worked at York District Hospital for 17 years, takes up the prestigious post after being headhunted by national health chiefs.

He will have the ear of Health Secretary Alan Milburn and will spearhead the Government's drive to slash the number of deaths from heart disease by 200,000 over the next ten years.

The disease claims around 110,000 lives each year - one of the highest rates in the whole of Europe.

But no new money came with today's announcement. To fund the national crusade, Dr Boyle will dip into the £50 million announced by Health Secretary Alan Milburn in November, and can draw resources from another £21 billion pledged to the health service.

Consultant Dr Boyles, who lives in Copmanthorpe and was a key figure in the Evening Press Lifesaver Appeal to raise money for vital heart monitoring equipment for the district hospital, said becoming the National Director for Heart Disease was a real opportunity to save lives and improve the standard of care for heart patients across the country.

"I was surprised to be asked initially because I didn't think they would go for someone who worked in a district hospital like York - I thought they would choose someone from a surgical centre," he said.

"But I think they wanted someone from the coal face who was tuned in to problems faced by cardiologists trying to provide services in a district hospital."

Although his new post will take him all over the country - and the world - Dr Boyle will continue to see patients in York one day a week.

"I shall miss contact with all my patients in York but hopefully I will be able to help on a larger scale to improve waiting times and quality of services across the country."

His main task will be implementing the Government's new National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease which is published today.

It sets standards for health promotion, prevention, rehabilitation and management of acute conditions like heart attacks.

"I will be implementing this new framework and advising ministers on the way things should go forward and arguing the case with the Treasury for appropriate funding," said Dr Boyle, 52.

"This is an opportunity to make a real difference - to get more funding and raise standards of cardiology and the management of coronary heart disease across the country."

Dr Boyle has worked at York District Hospital as a consultant, clinical director, and general manager for medical services.

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