Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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110. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to establish a national screening programme for structural heart disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51147/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.

It is important to be aware that any decisions about changes to our national screening programmes, or the introduction of new programmes, such as screening for structural heart disease, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.

The Committee's first Annual Call in 2021 for proposals for new screening programmes or changes to our existing programmes, received a significant response with a total of 53 submissions received. Submissions were received from various sources and have been undergoing consideration by the committee at its scheduled meetings during 2022. The NSAC intends to publish its full work programme in the coming weeks.

I will be guided by their advice to ensure Ireland’s population-based screening programmes continue to evolve in line with new evidence and developments.

It is important to remember that population-based screening programmes are for healthy people without symptoms. If anyone becomes aware of symptoms, or if they have concerns or worries, they should contact their GP who will arrange appropriate follow-up care.

The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 under the Chairmanship of Professor Philip Nolan and a Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing and patient representatives.

The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive, by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service.

In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults

The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services is in the concluding stages and the Steering Group is currently working on the development of the proposed recommendations of the draft Report with the most recent meeting held on the 21st September 2022, and the next meeting scheduled for late October 2022. Any newly proposed population screening recommendations resulting from the review will be subject to consideration and advice of NSAC.