Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I have been asked to take this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.

I thank Deputy Deenihan for having raised this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline the details of the work in progress to address cardiovascular disease in Kerry. The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of services at Kerry General Hospital.

Heart disease is the single biggest killer in Ireland and living with heart disease is an everyday reality for thousands of Irish people and their families. To tackle this disease the Government launched, in 1999, the cardiovascular health strategy "Building Healthier Hearts", which contains 211 evidence-based recommendations.

The overall aims of the strategy are: to reduce the risk factor profile in the general population, to detect those at high risk, to deal effectively with those who have clinical diseases, and to ensure the best survival and quality of life outcome for those recovering from an acute attack.

Since 1999, the Government has committed more than €60 million towards the implementation of the strategy. This funding has supported a wide range of new regional services and initiatives, which have had a measurable impact on the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart disease.

As regards tackling cardiovascular disease, the Department of Health and Children has been advised by the Health Service Executive's southern area that investment in the development of cardiology services has taken place in all service areas across the region in Cork and Kerry under the cardiovascular health strategy. Cardiovascular disease accounts for 46% of all deaths in Cork and Kerry.

In line with priorities identified in the Southern Health Board's cardiovascular health strategy five-year action plan, published in June 2000, Kerry General Hospital received in excess of €500,000 over the first three years of the strategy to develop cardiology-related services in the hospital. This has resulted in the appointment of 11.5 technical and administrative staff for the hospital.

The strengthening of its infrastructure has enabled Kerry General Hospital to develop a cardiac rehabilitation service and a cardiac non-invasive diagnostic service, as well as extending its telemetry service in cardiac care units, extending its resuscitation-training programme and providing for ongoing staff training. It has also ensured that essential cardiac equipment was procured for the cardiology services at the hospital.

I am advised that the priority for the region, as identified in the interim report of the joint working group on cardiology manpower is the appointment of a full-time consultant cardiologist at Kerry General Hospital.

In April 2004, €350,000 was allocated under the strategy to support the consultant post in Kerry cardiac rehabilitation services and a first responder programme in the region. Subsequently, €160,000 was allocated in 2004 to begin the process of establishing the consultant cardiology service in Kerry with a full year allocation of €476,000 in 2005. This funding has allowed the HSE southern area to appoint a cardiac technician, nurse and clerical support, as well as providing non-pay costs for such services as angiograms and angioplasts.

A consultant cardiologist was appointed in 2005 in a partnership arrangement between Kerry General Hospital and the Bon Secours Hospital, Tralee. The principal appointment is with the Bon Secours Hospital in Tralee and involves a temporary sessional arrangement with Kerry General Hospital enabling the consultant to work in partnership with Kerry General Hospital in developing specialist cardiology services. Weekly sessions are divided on the following basis: Bon Secours Hospital, Tralee, seven sessions and Kerry General Hospital, four sessions.

I am advised that an application has been forwarded to NHO/Comhairle to seek funding for a full-time consultant cardiologist post for Kerry General Hospital. I am confident that Kerry General Hospital will continue to provide high quality services to the people of Kerry.

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