Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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2206.To ask the Minister for Health in the absence of a current cardiovascular health strategy, how cardiac rehab will be supported by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31872/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Cardiac rehabilitation is recognised as part of recovery after a cardiac event. Cardiac rehabilitation is considered a valuable component of secondary prevention for patients with heart disease due to the rigorous and extensive evidence base supporting its effectiveness. The importance of cardiac rehabilitation was highlighted in Changing Cardiovascular Health 2010 -2019 and is also considered in the pending National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services.

Cardiac rehabilitation is specifically developed for patients with established cardiovascular disease and patient positive outcomes are linked to high quality cardiac rehabilitation. 5,062 patients accessed the service in 2019. An increase of 25% from 2010. There are also increasing referrals of more complex, older and frail patients with multiple comorbidities to cardiac rehabilitation programmes.

The Model of Care for Integrated Cardiac Rehabilitation was published in October 2023. It presents best evidence and practice for a high quality, equitable and person-centred cardiac rehabilitation service for those living with cardiovascular disease In Ireland. The Prevention Sub-Group of the Clinical Advisory Group to the National Heart Programme were charged with the development of this model of care and co-opted additional members to obtain expert input to the finalisation of the model. The model of has been formally endorsed by the Chief Clinical Officer Clinical Forum, the National Heart Programme Clinical Advisory Group and the National Clinical Advisor and Group Lead for Chronic Disease.

For people who have been hospitalised with cardiovascular disease, prevention of repeat events and hospitalisations is important. The Cardiac Rehabilitation model of care recognises that to optimise outcomes for patients eligible for cardiac rehabilitation, consideration must be given to maximising recruitment and retention of such patients therefore, offering increased flexibility in how people can participate in cardiac rehabilitation is key in this regard. Cardiac rehabilitation has consistently been demonstrated to significantly reduce illness, hospital admissions and death amongst patients with established cardiovascular disease, while also increasing their quality of life. The development of the national Model of Care for Integrated Cardiac Rehabilitation is a step forward in that it will facilitate patients living with cardiovascular disease across the country have access to timely high quality cardiac rehabilitation care.