Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1522. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will give due consideration to expanding psychological support services to heart failure patients, currently available in only four hospitals in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56632/23]
View answerCurrent Cardiovascular Health programmes highlight the importance of cardiac rehabilitation which includes a psychological component. Psychological health and the presence of potential psychosocial risk factors are assessed for every patient as part of the initial assessment in cardiac rehabilitation. There are 36 centres providing cardiac rehabilitation services nationally. Where a clinical need is identified but the cardiac rehabilitation service has no direct access to psychology services, it is best practice to liaise with the patient’s General Practitioner to recommend that a referral to psychology services be made by the GP (HSE Model of Care for Integrated Cardiac Rehabilitation 2023).
Heart Failure is an important public health issue that affects approximately 90,000 in our population, it is a complex condition with increasing prevalence. The National Clinical Programme for heart failure is developed to improve quality of life for people living with the syndrome. The heart failure Model of Care for Ireland identifies the importance of psychological supports for those living with heart failure.
There has been significant investment in Integrated Care Programmes for Chronic Disease which includes heart failure. This investment has enabled the development of structures of care which will significantly improve all aspects of heart failure care, including psychological support. Within community settings, multi-disciplinary heart failure care is provided through each community specialist team, including access to a psychologist (HSE).
Importantly, the Government recognises and supports new initiatives in managing heart failure as a chronic condition. For example, promoting pioneering innovations like HeartCare at Home, a primary care project which is open to all people with heart failure in Ireland. To get heart failure specialist care to a wider cohort of patients ‘Virtual Consultation’ allows online, real-time discussion of heart failure case questions with a family doctor. This consultation results in very effective remote management, avoiding unnecessary referrals and travel for the patient and facilitates the sharing of specialist expertise.
Progress has been made in heart failure care, and to inform the next steps for this important work and to understand the challenges more, a National Review of our adult Specialist Cardiac Services, which includes heart failure, was commissioned. The Report has been presented to my office and is currently under consideration. The Review's recommendations will inform the future provision of cardiac services nationally including guidance on the priority needs for specialist roles such as psychologists.
