Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - Cardiac Services.

Dan Boyle

Question:

513 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason only 5% of stroke victims here have access to special stroke units, compared to 70% in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12112/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The availability of stroke units in association with acute hospital facilities is internationally recognised as improving recovery and treatment outcomes for those unlucky enough to suffer strokes. My Department accepts the need to increase the number of stroke units from the current provision.

The cardiovascular health strategy, Building Healthier Hearts, launched by the Taoiseach in July 1999, makes 211 recommendations, of which 58 relate to the prevention of all cardiovascular diseases. Coronary heart disease and stroke are both affected by smoking, poor diet and sedentary lifestyles. Consequently, the implementation of the health promotion recommendations of Building Healthier Hearts are of direct benefit to the prevention of this disease.

In the strategy's first four years the Government has committed €54 million funding to implementing the cardiovascular health strategy. Of this €5 million has been allocated to health promotion, employing 139 additional health promotion officers providing guidance on smoking cessation, nutrition and physical activity.

The Government is committed to tackling heart disease and will do everything within its resources to ensure the comprehensive implementation of the cardiovascular health strategy. It has not been possible from the funding available this year to make provision for any significant increase in the facilities currently available. It will, therefore, be necessary to consider this matter in the context of the Estimates for 2004.