A coalition of charities, patient groups, professional bodies and healthcare companies with an interest in heart failure has been established to raise the profile of the condition within the UK government, the UK National Health Service and the media. The Alliance for Heart Failure (AHF) unites thirteen organisations behind the cause.
Members of the AHF collaborate on overarching policy issues with the aim of securing prioritisation of heart failure and improving access to care, treatment and services for people with the condition. The AHF’s programme of activities is led by two elected co-chairs, including a patient organisation representative, and overseen by a steering committee. The AHF is supported and funded by Abbott, Medtronic, Novartis, and Roche.
AHF members have been co-opted onto the Advisory Panel for the “Inquiry into Living with Heart Failure” set up by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Heart Disease (APPG). The Advisory Panel’s role is to advise the Inquiry Steering Group on key issues such as the scope of the Inquiry, what evidence should be sought, and from whom, and the content and recommendations of the report. The Inquiry, chaired by UK member of parliament, Stuart Andrew, is due to report its findings in autumn 2016.
