Skip to main content
Normal View

Healthcare Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021

Tuesday, 29 June 2021

Questions (439)

David Cullinane

Question:

439. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if there will be a successor to the Changing Cardiovascular Health: National Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010-2019; when a review of its implementation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26764/21]

View answer

Written answers

The cardiovascular policy, “Changing Cardiovascular Health 2010-2019”, built on the first national cardiovascular health strategy, entitled “Building Healthier Hearts” (Department of Health 1999). The reorganisation of care was reflected in the national cardiovascular strategy in 2010 which proposed the centralisation of cardiovascular services in order to maximise access, expertise and population coverage which formed part of the consideration of the current National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services.

The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services commenced in January 2018 with Professor Phillip Nolan as Chair of the Steering Group. This Review aims to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme.

While substantial progress has been made on the Review, the COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted on the progress of the review, as the Chair has played a key role in the national COVID-19 response, both as a member of the NPHET and Chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group. However, it is intended that the Review will continue and work is now underway to progress this over the coming months.

The National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services, with specific terms of reference, is cognisant of the "Changing Cardiovascular Health Strategy 2010 – 2019" recommendations and will contribute to the progression of cardiac care in Ireland.

All recommendations in the “Changing Cardiovascular Health 2010 – 2019” have an identified lead organisation with a significant number being implemented by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

As part of this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Question No. 440 answered with Question No. 436.

Top
Share