Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher for his passionate representations on behalf of the people of County Donegal. I know from my visit there a few months ago that he is also very much involved in disability services issues. I thank him for his kindness and for being an excellent host.

I offer the House the Minister's apologies. The Minister for Health would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and wishes to acknowledge the inconvenience and upset that the suspension of the cardiac rehabilitation programme, as part of the overall cardiology rehabilitation services at Letterkenny University Hospital, is causing to patients who are eager to continue on their path to recovery.

Cardiology rehabilitation services are aimed at optimising physical function in patients with cardiac disease or who have had recent cardiac surgeries. As part of the programme, patients attend rehabilitation sessions under the direct care of nursing staff and the supervision of a consultant cardiologist. A critical element of this type of rehabilitative care is the gathering of telemetry data on patients undergoing these sessions. These data are gathered using monitors worn by the patients while undertaking physical activity during their rehabilitation sessions.

Evidence based research shows that cardiac rehabilitation can reduce hospitalisation by 30% in the following year. A recent health technology assessment by the Health Information and Quality Authority rated cardiac rehabilitation as one of the most effective self-management support services and the importance of the continued provision of these services is recognised by the Department of Health and the HSE. However, the HSE advises that there is currently an unmet need for these types of cardiac rehabilitation sessions. The HSE is currently preparing a self-management support framework which will specifically target this issue at a national level.

With regard to Letterkenny University Hospital, the Saolta University Health Care Group has advised that the cardiac rehabilitation programme has been suspended for the past few weeks on the advice of the consultant cardiologist for reasons of patient safety. This is due to the technical malfunction of some of the telemetry monitors required to monitor patients during their rehabilitation sessions. Saolta advises that these malfunctions are due to expected wear and tear on the units. It is important to note Saolta has confirmed that these issues are not affecting the monitoring of telemetry for cardiac patients in need of acute care. Telemetry services are in place in Letterkenny University Hospital for these critical patients.

Since 2012 the HSE capital plan has included a separate allocation for the equipment replacement programme. In 2017 this allocation was increased to €35 million. Saolta has advised the Department of Health that it has applied to the HSE for suitable replacement units through this scheme. In light of the critical need for the cardiology rehabilitation service in County Donegal, Saolta has advised the Department of Health that it has recently given Letterkenny University Hospital authorisation to order suitable replacement telemetry devices. This process is currently ongoing.

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