H·E·A·R·T UK - code of conduct
H·E·A·R·T UK is primarily concerned with the prevention and risk management of cardiovascular diseases with particular attention to inherited high cholesterol (IHC).
Activities
H·E·A·R·T UK provides free information, advice and help to all those concerned, and intends to bring forward for those who will benefit most, a programme of healthy lifestyle change combined with preventive medical treatment that in partnership helps prevent premature cardiovascular disease.
H·E·A·R·T UK UK encourages people with IHC to gain better risk knowledge leading to greater skills that will inevitably help patients and their families to better manage their own health.
H E A R T UK endeavours to achieve well balanced, meaningful and more equal relationships between doctors and IHC patients.
H·E·A·R·T UK UK will promote and encourage the essential need for two way compliance and concordance between IHC patient and health provider.
H·E·A·R·T UK UK seeks to improve the quality of treatment by encouraging medical professionals to adhere to existing and upcoming clinical guidelines and treatment goals. To attain these goals flexible pharmacotherapy choices adapted to each individual need are required.
H·E·A·R·T UK UK will, with IHC patient participation, actively promote strong political programmes aimed at the timely prevention strategies of treatable high risks.
H·E·A·R·T UK UK will seek to encourage research into disease control and long term health improvement, through patient self-management.
Guiding Principles
H·E·A·R·T UK UK seeks to promote fair and equal access to medical treatments – medical treatments that are set as guideline gold standards. Provision and reimbursement of affordable medicines are of the utmost importance in order to achieve effective preventive treatment of inherited high cholesterol. H·E·A·R·T UK UK will represent and lobby on behalf of those who stand to benefit from preventive treatment in order to ensure they receive what is rightfully theirs. H·E·A·R·T UK UK will educate on the basis of principles that rely on evidence based medicine solutions, best practices and solid and experienced knowledge gained from its own European and global networks.
In order to achieve its aims, H·E·A·R·T UK UK will continue to seek to work with all key stakeholders who are able to contribute with positive support, be they partners in the healthcare, charity or corporate sectors.
The independence of H·E·A·R·T UK UK, of its political judgment and activities shall be assured.
H·E·A·R·T UK UK will ensure that in all co-operative matters, transparency is vital.
Any joint policies undertaken between H·E·A·R·T UK UK and sponsors in industry shall be based on mutual respect and trust.
Sponsors in industry shall neither demand, nor shall H·E·A·R·T UK UK be expected without agreement to undertake the promotion of industry's specific products and services.
The sponsors in industry and H·E·A·R·T UK UK shall on request provide each other with annual reports, accounts and other appropriate information.
Co-operation
H·E·A·R·T UK UK is a member of the following Alliances and Associations:
H·E·A·R·T UK UK also works closely and enthusiastically in partnership with other international health professionals including MEDPED (a global not-for-profit organisation linking international clinicians who are seeking better diagnosis and treatment of IHC patients – www.medped.org)
Financing and Funding
Without financial support, including donations, gifts, legacies, subsidies and sponsorship from persons, companies, trust funds, and government, H·E·A·R·T UK UK would not be able to realise its programmes. Where there are no conflicting interests, H·E·A·R·T UK UK accepts non-restrictive financial and pro bono support from pharmaceutical and food companies and other corporate body organisations. To ensure the long term existence and quality of the organisation, H E A R T UK seeks to achieve consistent continuity of income, which is well balanced between industry, enterprise, government and others. H·E·A·R·T UK UK Main Board Trustee Directors provide their services without charge.
Reporting
H·E·A·R·T UK reports annually in their Report of Accounts and Activities and ensures within these pages that representation of all matters regarding past, present and future financial and programme reports and intentions are covered in as open a manner as possible. These reports and all other ongoing activities are represented transparently on the organisations website.
H·E·A·R·T UK wishes to record its thanks to all those who have supported and continue to do so, in whatever way that is manifested but notably in helping with early diagnosis to preventing early death, in patient and family counselling and support as well as in funding and research.