Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her Department intends investing to a greater extent in cardiovascular health services following recent research which found that Ireland spends the second lowest proportion of it's health care budget in heart and circulatory diseases in the enlarged EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38524/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The study to which the question refers is the 'Economic burden of cardiovascular diseases in the enlarged EU' by Leal J, Luengo-Fernández R, Gray A, Petersen S and Rayner M. European Heart Journal, doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehi733.

I understand that the authors set out to provide an estimate of the economic costs of cardiovascular disease for EU countries. Data were obtained from published studies of healthcare costs and health service utilisation. It appears that all costs for health care in Ireland were extrapolated from costs in other countries.

It is unclear how some of costs were estimated, for example, annual loss of earnings or the cost for a day's inpatient care. The data on costs and resource implications were used to estimate the costs of cardiovascular disease.

Given that the authors may have underestimated the true costs in Ireland, there are question marks about the accuracy of the overall findings as they relate to this country. It is also possible that the authors did not include the costs of services provided in the private sector.

There has been rapid expansion in cardiology services in Ireland in recent years. The Cardiovascular Health Strategy — Building Healthier Hearts — was launched in 1999. The report makes recommendations about the prevention, treatment and surveillance of coronary heart disease across a number of sectors and the full range of health service activities, in health promotion, primary care, pre-hospital care, acute hospital services and cardiac rehabilitation.

Since 2000 the Government has committed over €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. More than 800 new posts have been created, including 19 additional consultant cardiology posts.

We have made progress in addressing the key challenges in the implementation of the Cardiovascular Health Strategy in relation to (i) Improving Population Health: by supporting intersectoral work for health promotion, to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and improve quality of life; (ii) Ensuring equitable access to services: by continued provision of resources and support to fully implement outstanding Cardiovascular Health Strategy recommendations to meet the needs of the growing numbers of older people and to provide new treatments for which there is evidence of effectiveness; (iii) Improving the quality of services: by developing and implementing practice guidelines, the implementation of cardiovascular health information systems, support for clinical audit and for research to enhance the quality of services.

It appears that the study may not reflect the current level of expenditure and service provision. The study is useful however in drawing to our attention the high costs of cardiovascular disease both in Ireland and at European level, not just the costs of health care but also the costs to the economy and to families and carers.