On Tuesday 6 May, UK Member of Parliament (MP) Jim Shannon hosted the annual UK Parliamentary drop-in event for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Vascular and Venous Disease (VVAPPG).
The event brought together charities, patients, representative bodies, clinicians, industry partners, and Parliamentarians to raise awareness of the challenges that vascular disease poses for patients, local UK National Health Service (NHS) bodies and the wider NHS.
The keynote speech was delivered by Stella Vig (Croydon NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK), UK national clinical director for elective care, who spoke about the significant challenges faced by patients across the UK, and the postcode lottery for quality of care. Also a vascular surgeon, Vig spoke about her experiences in caring for patients, and the challenges and opportunities for policymakers in delivering change for patients and the sector.
Attendees also heard from Roger Perfitt on his experiences in receiving care for vascular disease, and how his care and treatment has helped him to get back to living a normal life, highlighting the dangers of late diagnosis and treatment.
Speaking about the event, Shannon commented: “I was delighted to host a very successful Parliamentary drop-in as chair of the VVAPPG. It was fantastic to see so many key people in one room in Parliament, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for the vascular sector. The cost of late diagnosis and treatment for patients and the NHS is enormous, and it is vital that the Government gives appropriate support for an area of care that spans from ongoing community care to the most complex surgery.
“The VVAPPG has been calling for national leadership in this area, with a dedicated clinical lead within the new NHS and DHSC [Department of Health and Social Care] structures to take ownership for Vascular Services, ensuring patients get the right care, in the right place, at the right time. We are incredibly grateful to Prof Stella Vig for her ongoing support in this area and are looking forward to working closely with her in the coming weeks and months to push for Vascular Services getting the level of support that it—and its patients—deserve.”
Q&A with the VVAPPG
Speaking to Vascular News earlier this year, members of the VVAPPG shared their plans for the rest of 2025, including a debate in Parliament, and highlighted the importance of raising the profile of vascular disease in the UK.
VN: What plans does the VVAPPG have in 2025 to raise the profile of vascular disease across the country?
VVAPPG: In 2025, the VVAPPG’s work will be guided by the theme Leading Vascular Care: Fit for the Future. This will tie together a series of key initiatives, including our annual Parliamentary drop-in event, a webinar series featuring clinicians and patient voices, and blogs from our strategic advisory committee. These activities will culminate in a final report in the second half of the year, which will reflect on the NHS 10-Year Plan and its implications for vascular services. At the core of this work is a strong call for clear and sustained clinical leadership for vascular disease at a national level—to ensure the condition receives the attention and coordination it urgently needs.
VN: What does the VVAPPG hope the upcoming debate in Parliament will achieve?
VVAPPG: The upcoming debate provides an important platform to raise awareness of vascular and venous disease among MPs and highlight the urgent need for stronger national focus. We hope it will galvanise political support for improving care pathways, addressing inequalities, and crucially, embedding clinical leadership for vascular disease across the NHS. This leadership is essential to deliver better outcomes and reduce the unwarranted variation in care that patients currently experience.
VN: How does the profile of vascular disease compare to that of cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes in the UK, and how might clinical leadership change this?
VVAPPG: Vascular disease remains significantly less visible than other major conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes—despite sharing risk factors and having a profound impact on patients’ quality of life. This lower profile has led to gaps in investment, service development, and public understanding. Introducing clear clinical leadership for vascular disease would be transformative. It would provide the strategic direction needed to elevate the condition on the national agenda, align care standards, and drive improvements in patient outcomes.
VN: What are some of the challenges of bringing MPs into the discussion about vascular care?
VVAPPG: One of the main challenges is that vascular disease doesn’t always have the same public or political profile as other long-term conditions. Without direct constituency cases or wider media attention, MPs may not be fully aware of the scale of the issue. Our role as an APPG is to bridge that gap—equipping MPs with the data, patient stories, and clinical insight they need to understand why this issue deserves greater attention. Through our events and briefings, we aim to make vascular disease a recognised and urgent priority in health discussions.
VN: Could the VVAPPG comment on why raising the profile of vascular disease across the UK is so important?
VVAPPG: Vascular disease affects millions of people across the UK, and often leads to serious consequences such as amputation, stroke, or premature death—yet it receives far less attention than other conditions with comparable burden. Raising its profile is essential to improve early diagnosis, reduce health inequalities, and ensure services are properly resourced. As the healthcare system evolves, particularly following the abolition of NHS England, there is a pressing need for national clinical leadership to guide and coordinate vascular care. This leadership will be key to ensuring patients across the UK receive the high-quality, timely care they need—and that the system is equipped to meet future challenges.
