Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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146. To ask the Minister for Health the plans in place to introduce a national screening programme for atrial fibrillation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51267/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Health’s “Changing Cardiovascular Health: Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010 - 2019” established a framework for the prevention, detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

The National Cardiovascular Health Policy acknowledged that many patients with atrial fibrillation remain undetected or untreated. It also noted that there was evidence that the detection of atrial fibrillation in general practice was improved by opportunistic case finding. Improved detection of atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation can be achieved by developing structured systems between primary care and the hospital setting.

Proposals relating to the GP contract for the structured management and prevention of Non- Communicable Diseases including cardiovascular disease such as rythm disorders are under consideration.