Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 July 2024
187. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health to provide details on a review his Department has undertaken with regard to cardiac services; if he intends to devise a new cardiovascular disease strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28377/24]
View answerThe cardiovascular policy, “Changing Cardiovascular Health 2010-2019”, built on the first national cardiovascular health strategy, entitled “Building Healthier Hearts” (Department of Health 1999). The reorganisation of care was reflected in the national cardiovascular strategy in 2010 which proposed the centralisation of cardiovascular services in order to maximise access, expertise and population coverage which formed part of the consideration of the current National Review of adult Specialist Cardiac Services.
The National Review of Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Phillip Nolan and a Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to recommend configuration for a national adult cardiac service to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults.
The Review is finalised and has been presented to Minister Donnelly's office. Minister Donnelly had some outstanding questions on the Review and department officials have provided the additional data required. The recommendations of the review will inform the future provision of cardiac services nationally.
The HSE’s National Heart Programme (NHP) has a specific brief to ensure equity of access to hospital and community care structures. The NHP focuses on the design and delivery of the full spectrum of care for cardiovascular conditions, including prevention, health promotion, primary care, secondary and tertiary care, with particular attention on the development of partnerships between the acute hospital services, general practice-led community services, the patient and their family/carers.
Underpinned by a whole-system approach, in line with Sláintecare, the NHP aims to improve population health, reduce health inequalities, improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in the population. The programme is driving an integrated approach to prevention, early detection, slowing disease progression, providing optimal treatment towards enhancing quality and duration of life and will support the delivery of the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Cardiovascular disease is multifaceted and encompasses stroke as well as heart attack.
The government is fully committed to supporting improvements and advances in stroke services and has allocated a total of €7.3m to fund the HSE National Stroke Strategy over the last two Budgets.
The HSE’s Stroke Strategy (2022-2027) was developed to build upon the significant achievements already made in stroke care and to address the burden of stroke at a patient, organisational and system level with a clear direction for stroke care in Ireland in line with international standards. The strategy will assist in addressing the challenges faced in Ireland and Europe including the predicted increase in the total number of strokes over the coming decade, an ageing demography, and the rapidly changing milieu of acute stroke treatment.
The overall aim of the Strategy is to modernise and reform stroke services in line with Sláintecare policy, to help sustain and improve upon the significant achievements already made to date. The Strategy provides a blueprint for the required investment over a 5-year timeline (2022-2027) to deliver on key priorities under the pillars of Stroke Prevention, Acute Care and Cure, Rehabilitation and Restoration to Life, and Education and Research.
