Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

505. To ask the Minister for Health if Ireland's new cardiovascular plan aims to tackle the high levels of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in Ireland by focusing on early detection and effective management of risk factors for ASCVD, such as cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and smoking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66870/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses a range of conditions including heart attack and stroke. It remains a leading cause of death in Ireland and significant hospital bed days. CVD claimed the lives of almost 10,000 people in Ireland in 2023 and is estimated to cost the Irish state €1.7 billion annually, with 46% of this being direct healthcare costs.

Ireland has made progress in tackling CVD. Today, CVD mortality is about half of the levels of 1995, however, CVD still accounts for 27.8% of all deaths in Ireland. However, the absolute number of CVD cases has increased due to the rise in population and Ireland’s ageing demographics. CVD imposes significant social and personal costs for patients including reduced quality of life, and potential lost earnings.

CVD and its management are prioritised through national policy, strategies, and clinical programmes, which include models of care for stroke, acute coronary syndromes, heart failure and chronic disease management. The Programme for Government (PfG) 2025 commits to “Building on the existing National Cardiovascular Policy, we will develop a new and more ambitious plan enhancing patient care and timely access across all regions.”

On April 8th, the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services was published. This comprehensive, evidence-based report provides 23 key recommendations to inform future cardiac health policy. It offers both a data-driven analysis and a clear roadmap for reforming cardiac services across the country. DoH officials are now working closely with the HSE to progress the implementation of these recommendations. This is a complex, multiyear reform programme that will ensure a comprehensive and deliverable approach in achieving outcomes.

Cardiovascular health has been prioritised in Budget 2025, which allocates over €9 million in full-year funding to support vital cardiovascular initiatives. Budget 2025 allocated €4 million full year costs, and 45 WTEs to progress cardiac services. To date, 28 of these 45 WTEs have been prioritised and 5.1 WTE posts have been accepted. This investment facilitates the initial steps in cardiac services reform and will support the development of a new cardiovascular strategy in the longer term. In the short term, we will deliver enhanced cardiac services and develop the necessary structures to ensure success in the longer term.

With regard to services for stoke, the National Stroke Strategy was published in 2022 and over €13m has been allocated to its implementation to date. The Stroke Strategy aims to modernise our Stroke services in line with Sláintecare and ensure the future readiness of services given our ageing demography and the predicted rise in stroke incidence in coming decades. Most recently in Budget 2025, of the €9m invested in Cardiovascular Health, full year costs of €5m were allocated which will provide 56 WTEs to strengthen Acute Stroke units and expand the Early Supported Discharge Team network from 11-15 teams nationally.

The GP Chronic Disease Management Programme commenced in 2020 and has been rolled out on a phased basis over 4 years to adults with either a Medical Card or GP Visit Card (GMS patients). The aim of the Programme is to prevent and manage chronic diseases.

The conditions covered by the CDM Treatment Programme are Type 2 Diabetes, Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Cardiovascular disease.

The CDM Treatment Programme supports patients in managing their chronic condition. Patients receive two reviews in a 12-month period, with each review including a practice nurse and a GP visit.

Each review includes patient education, preventative care, medication review, physical examination, investigations, and an individual care plan. Blood tests such as a Full Blood Count, Urea & Electrolytes, Fasting Lipid Profile, HB1AC, NT Pro BNP etc. are included in the review as clinically indicated.

The Third Report of the Structured Chronic Disease Management Treatment Programme in General Practice was published in May 2025, and can be found at the following link; www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/primary/third-chronic-disease-report.pdf

The results of this report show a reduction in both lifestyle risk factor and biometric risk factors that were achieved by patients by their third or subsequent visits to the GP.

The programme is popular with patients with an uptake of 80% for all patients (61% in those aged 18 to 64 years and 89% in those 65 years and older).

The report demonstrates a range of good control of LDL cholesterol results for high-risk population. Similarly, the distribution of HbA1c levels (a key blood-chemistry marker) shows excellent control among people living with diabetes.

Results of the CDM Programme to date suggests an effective programme which is well supported by GPs and patients and achieves good lifestyle behaviour and clinical results.

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

506. To ask the Minister for Health if Ireland's new cardiovascular plan aims to focus on the specific role which cholesterol plays in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66871/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses a range of conditions including heart attack and stroke. It remains a leading cause of death in Ireland and significant hospital bed days. CVD claimed the lives of almost 10,000 people in Ireland in 2023 and is estimated to cost the Irish state €1.7 billion annually, with 46% of this being direct healthcare costs.

Ireland has made progress in tackling CVD. Today, CVD mortality is about half of the levels of 1995, however, CVD still accounts for 27.8% of all deaths in Ireland. However, the absolute number of CVD cases has increased due to the rise in population and Ireland’s ageing demographics. CVD imposes significant social and personal costs for patients including reduced quality of life, and potential lost earnings.

Irish officials working with EU colleagues contributed to a new Council Conclusion on the improvement of cardiovascular health adopted on 3rd December 2024, marking a strong political commitment towards improving cardiovascular health across Europe. We expect the EU Cardiovascular Plan will be published shortly. This is an initiative by the European Commission to tackle cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading cause of death in the EU. Its objectives include reducing premature deaths by improving prevention, early detection, and treatment, while also boosting innovation.

CVD and its management are prioritised through national policy, strategies, and clinical programmes, which include models of care for stroke, acute coronary syndromes, heart failure and chronic disease management. The Programme for Government (PfG) 2025 commits to “Building on the existing National Cardiovascular Policy, we will develop a new and more ambitious plan enhancing patient care and timely access across all regions.”

On April 8th, the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services was published. This comprehensive, evidence-based report provides 23 key recommendations to inform future cardiac health policy. It offers both a data-driven analysis and a clear roadmap for reforming cardiac services across the country. DoH officials are now working closely with the HSE to progress the implementation of these recommendations. This is a complex, multiyear reform programme that will ensure a comprehensive and deliverable approach in achieving outcomes.

Cardiovascular health has been prioritised in Budget 2025, which allocates over €9 million in full-year funding to support vital cardiovascular initiatives. Budget 2025 allocated €4 million full year costs, and 45 WTEs to progress cardiac services. To date, 28 of these 45 WTEs have been prioritised and 5.1 WTE posts have been accepted. This investment facilitates the initial steps in cardiac services reform and will support the development of a new cardiovascular strategy in the longer term. In the short term, we will deliver enhanced cardiac services and develop the necessary structures to ensure success in the longer term.

With regard to services for stoke, the National Stroke Strategy was published in 2022 and over €13m has been allocated to its implementation to date. The Stroke Strategy aims to modernise our Stroke services in line with Sláintecare and ensure the future readiness of services given our ageing demography and the predicted rise in stroke incidence in coming decades. Most recently in Budget 2025, of the €9m invested in Cardiovascular Health, full year costs of €5m were allocated which will provide 56 WTEs to strengthen Acute Stroke units and expand the Early Supported Discharge Team network from 11-15 teams nationally.