John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael)

I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this important Commencement matter, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Health. Heart failure is a complex condition that affects thousands of people in Ireland. Many people are unaware that they have heart failure, due to the gradual onset of symptoms, which are often mistaken for normal signs of ageing or attributed to other health conditions. Therefore, heart failure has often progressed significantly by the time a diagnosis is made. Treatment requires co-ordinated multidisciplinary care, as the Senator rightly pointed out, and the Government recognises the significant burden that heart failure can place on individuals, families and the health system, as a whole.

Cardiovascular health is a priority in the programme for Government, which commits to developing a new and more ambitious cardiovascular plan, enhancing patient care and timely access for all regions of the country. The national review of cardiac services was published recently. Its recommendations provide an evidence base for reform of cardiac services and the report is a key enabler of progress. The HSE is currently developing an implementation plan for this.

Ireland has made significant progress in managing heart failure through the heart failure model of care 2021. This aims to standardise care and improve outcomes for patients. The enhanced community care programmes are supporting the development of 30 ambulatory care hubs for chronic disease management in the community and the roll-out of modernised care pathways. The enhanced community care programme has expanded from the nine pilot community healthcare networks in 2019 to 96 now. To date, 27 of the 30 planned community specialist teams, CSTs, for older persons and 26 of the 30 CSTs are in place, with 81% of the planned 3,500 whole-time equivalents recruited.

As part of the enhanced community care programmes, the integrated care programme for chronic disease provides enhanced access to diagnostics and specialist opinion for general practitioners, which sets the foundation for expedited heart failure diagnosis. Ireland is recognised as a world leader in identifying those at high risk of the development of heart failure. An approach to heart failure, STOP-HF, has been developed where a specific blood test determines the impact of risk factors on heart function. It identifies high-risk cohorts and facilitates appropriate management. The chronic disease management programme now encourages GPs to perform the blood test on those at risk of heart failure. STOP-HF has now been adopted in several international guidelines, a testament to the innovation of Irish clinicians. The model of care for integrated cardiac rehabilitation was published in October 2023 and presents best evidence and practice for high-quality, equitable and person-centred cardiac rehabilitation services for those living with heart disease in Ireland. To address gaps in cardiac rehabilitation, 13 staff were funded in 2025 and these posts are currently being recruited for. Funding was also made available for one day per week to provide psychology services, which, as the Senator rightly pointed out, is important as part of the treatment programme, as part of the rehabilitation teams in the 30 new specialist ambulatory care hubs for chronic disease.

The second women's health action plan also places a spotlight on cardiovascular health in women, because they often experience heart failure differently. To support this, the Minister for Health has funded €1.23 million for six projects on women's heart health and, in particular, to improve our understanding of services for heart failure.