Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1536. To ask the Minister for Health what plans his Department has to establish a national register of patients with cardiac conditions to allow better analysis of heart and stroke incidences and to ensure relevant organisations are able to deliver adequate patient services in line with patient needs across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37349/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Cardiovascular disease (CVD) which encompasses heart disease and stroke is an important public health issue. The detection and prevention of CVD is a priority. The National Heart Programme is currently engaging with the European Society of Cardiology who have an excellent platform to enable registry development on cardiovascular conditions. Working under the guidance of Dr Peter Kearney the National Heart Programme are working to initiate the EuroHeart programme cardiovascular database project in Ireland.

There are clear, evidence-based guidelines and excellent Irish case studies of effective models of care in CVD however, it is recognised that further focus and development is required to prevent unnecessary hospitalisations and deaths and maximise people’s quality of life. While progress has been made there are proportions of the population that are not being reached.

To understand the challenges more, a National Review of our adult Specialist Cardiac Services was commissioned. The Reviews recommendations will inform the future provision of cardiac services nationally including requirements for data to support service development.

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