IT is unrealistic to expect reforms to the National Health Service to happen overnight. Long-term problems built up over generations will not disappear in the short term.

Inevitably, it will take time before the full benefits of extra resources and investment are enjoyed.

It was against this realistic background that The Northern Echo launched its A Chance To Live Campaign to improve services for heart patients.

Nevertheless, only two years after our campaign prompted a new framework of services, there are tangible signs of improvement. By April next year, an extra 3,000 heart operations are expected to have been carried out.

Without doubt, the quality of life for a great many people has been enhanced as a direct result of this initiative. Because of it, some people are alive today who may otherwise have died while on a waiting list for treatment.

Slowly but surely, services will improve. Slowly but surely, reductions will be made to the 150,000 lives tragically lost to heart disease every year in this country.

We will always be frustrated at the time it takes to implement change and will continue to press to speed up the process.

But, equally, we are encouraged by the fact that commitment and investment is already paying dividends. Our faith in the potential of the National Health Service to deliver what society expects of it remains strong.