Vol. 555 No. 2
110 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the lack of cardiology services in County Kerry, as Kerry and Cork have above the national average for cardiac related illnesses, for both men and women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17902/02]
The provision of health services in County Kerry is a matter for the Southern Health Board in the first instance. The cardiovascular health strategy, Building Healthier Hearts, which was launched in July 1999, sets out a blue print for tackling heart disease in Ireland. It addresses the common aspects of prevention of all cardiovascular diseases, as well as the detection, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with coronary heart disease. The overall aims identified by the strategy are to reduce the risk factor profile in the general population, detect those at high risk, deal effectively with those who have clinical disease, and ensure the best survival and quality of life.
When the strategy was launched a number of implementation structures were established at national and regional level. These included the Heart Health Task Force, the Advisory Forum on Cardiovascular Health and regional committees at health authority-board level. A co-ordinated, systematic and sustainable approach to the implementation of the strategy has been adopted through the prioritisation of its recommendations as advised by the Advisory Forum on Cardiovascular Health. In the first three years of the cardiovascular health strategy €45 million has been allocated to its implementation and has advanced the implementation in all sectors including the hospital sector.
In this regard during 2001, a working group was set up and chaired by Comhairle na nOspidéal with representatives from the Department of Health and Children and the Advisory Forum on Cardiovascular Health to plan the future consultant cardiologist requirements needed to implement the recommendations of the cardiovascular health strategy. This group submitted in May 2001 an interim report recommending 25 additional consultant cardiology posts. Of these 25 posts, nine are planned for this year. The report acknowledged the requirement for a consultant cardiologist at Tralee General Hospital and this will be a matter for future discussions between officials of my Department and the Southern Health Board.
The Southern Health Board, in line with the cardiovascular health strategy, published a five year action plan covering the years 2000 to 2004. It includes key actions in the areas of health promotion, primary care, hospital care and surveillance. This action plan identified the developments necessary to enable Tralee General Hospital to enhance its cardiology services. In excess of €503,000 has been made available to the hospital over the first three years of the strategy. This money provides for the recruitment of an additional 12.5 staff. It has also allowed the hospital to purchase essential cardiac equipment for the cardiology services. This strengthening of infrastructure has enabled Tralee General Hospital to develop a cardiac rehabilitation service, a cardiac non-invasive diagnostic service and to extend its telemetry service and its resuscitation training programme.
Last year I gave approval to the Southern Health Board to proceed with the planning and construction of a new €82.5 million cardiac and renal dialysis building at Cork University Hospital. The development will include a coronary care unit and a cardiology department with an expanded role in the provision cardio-thoracic surgery. This project will enable Cork University Hospital to provide a quality, functional tertiary service that will address the clinical needs of the Cork and Kerry region and also the wider Munster region.
The Southern Health Board recently opened a new chest pain clinic at Cork University Hospital. This is an important step in the early diagnosis of patients with a high risk of coronary disease. This clinic will provide a model for the introduction of further chest pain clinics to be developed at other centres in the Southern Health Board region.
