SELF-MONITORING OF BLOOD CLOTTING

That this House welcomes the AntiCoagulation Self-Monitoring Alliance (ACSMA) campaign to achieve greater access to self-monitoring technology for people on long-term warfarin; notes that self-monitoring of blood clotting levels is associated with considerable benefits in that it reduces the risk of death by nearly two-fifths, more than halves the risk of strokes, improves quality of life, is convenient and can result in substantial cost savings to the NHS; further notes with concern that 69 per cent of patients on long-term warfarin who responded to an ACSMA survey are currently unable or not allowed to self-monitor their condition by their healthcare professional or clinical commissioning group; and calls on the Government to ensure that patients have full choice about how they want to treat their condition and to be able to have an informed discussion with their medical professional about the possible self-management options available to them.