Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Changing Cardiovascular Health 2010 -2019 highlighted the importance of cardiac rehabilitation which includes a psychological component. There are at least 36 centers providing cardiac rehabilitation services nationally. Cardiac rehabilitation is an internationally recognised standard of care for patients recovering from a cardiac event and is proven an essential component of secondary prevention for patients with cardiovascular disease. Recent Irish Heart Attack Audit data suggest a 71% referral rate to cardiac rehabilitation programmes post an event.

Cardiac rehabilitation is a multifaceted programme and encompasses a psychological component. Given that there are clear, evidence-based guidelines in cardiac rehabilitation and the benefits of psychological intervention, it is recognised that this is an important component to maximise people’s quality of life in living with heart failure.

To understand the challenges, requirements and next steps more, a National Review of our adult Specialist Cardiac Services which includes heart failure was commissioned. The Reviews recommendations will inform the future provision of cardiac services nationally. The Report is now finalised and is being prepared currently for my consideration.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Heart Failure is an important public health issue.

The detection and prevention of heart failure is a priority. The National Clinical Programme for heart failure supports many approaches to improving quality of life for people living with the syndrome. The Programme (HSE) is currently engaging with the European Society of Cardiology who have an excellent platform to enable registry development on not only heart failure but other cardiovascular conditions. The National Heart Programme are working under the guidance of Dr. Peter Kearney to initiate the EuroHeart programme to bring their cardiovascular dats base project to Ireland.

There are clear, evidence-based guidelines and excellent Irish case studies of effective models of care in heart failure however it is recognised that prevention requires further focus and development to prevent unnecessary hospitalisations and deaths and maximise people’s quality of life and there are portions of the heart failure population are still not being reached.

To understand the challenges more, a National Review of our adult Specialist Cardiac Services which includes heart failure was commissioned. The Reviews recommendations will inform the future provision of cardiac services nationally including data requirements for further development. The Report is now finalised and is being prepared currently for my consideration.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Changing Cardiovascular Health 2010 -2019 highlighted the importance of Cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac rehabilitation is an internationally recognised standard of care for patients recovering from a cardiac event and proven an essential component of secondary prevention for patients with cardiovascular disease.

Cardiac rehabilitation is specifically developed for patients with established cardiovascular disease, and patient outcomes are highly dependent on the quality of Cardiac rehabilitation. Cardiac Rehabilitation is delivered through four phases, from the initial cardiac event in hospital to phase four in the community. The number of patients (5,063) accessing the service in 2019 increased by 25% from 2010. There are also increasing referrals of more complex, older and frail patients with multiple comorbidities to cardiac rehabilitation programmes.

Recent Irish Heart Attack Audit data suggest a 71% referral rate to cardiac rehabilitation programmes. There are at least 36 centers providing cardiac rehabilitation services nationally.

The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 with the aim to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services. This review will also recommend the optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service in the context of the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults which includes cardiac rehabilitation and heart failure services.

The Report is now finalised and is being prepared currently for my consideration. The Reviews recommendations will inform the future provision of cardiac services.