Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To date the National Review has completed a public consultation survey, collated and analysed information on activity levels in each of the Hospital Groups and all hospitals within each Group. A successful and well attended stakeholder consultation was held in November 2018. The Health Research Board - Collaboration in Ireland for Clinical Effectiveness Reviews (HRB-CICER) has completed an Evidence Review of Specialist Cardiac Services looking at (i) international standards for PCI centres (ii) international models that might be applicable to the Irish Healthcare system and (iii) the relationship between volume and patient outcomes for PCI. The Evidence Review has provided important guidance for the Steering Group thus far and arising from discussions at the Steering Group they have been asked to complete one additional evidence review question which they have now completed and submitted to the National Review for comments and observations. Site visits to Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) centres around Ireland commenced earlier this year and an international site visit to Glasgow is currently being organised. These site visits have included meetings with stakeholders in clinical, administrative, nursing and allied health professional roles. A visit to Northern Ireland was also undertaken to review the work of the Belfast Hospital Trust.

An additional workstream is being undertaken by the Health Intelligence Unit of the HSE with regards to Geospatial analysis and mapping of networks of cardiac services from a national perspective and a draft has been submitted to the National Review for comment and observations.

Work is ongoing on preparation of the National Review and the Chair is hoping to have the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services completed as soon as all streams of work have been completed.