Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1525. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for his Department and the HSE to undertake a full assessment of the economic impact of heart failure on patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56636/23]
View answerThe HSE Heart Failure Clinical Programme is focused on improving all stages in the prevention and treatment of heart failure. It is one of several chronic disease management programmes established in the HSE aimed at bringing a systematic approach to changes in how services are delivered to improve outcomes for patients. Economic evidence highlights that heart failure places a major demand on healthcare spending and can account for an estimated 2-4% of the total healthcare budget (HSE National Heart Failure Clinical Care Programme)
Heart failure is high on the health services agenda. Since the establishment of the HSE Heart Failure Clinical Programme in 2012, approaches to heart failure have improved. The National Heart Failure Clinical Programme has carried out a significant amount of important work for patients living with heart failure. Ireland’s wider community of clinical practice in heart failure has provided leading research and innovation that continues to inspire the world. The STOP-HF project for example is a dedicated heart failure prevention strategy. This first-of-type concept has been proven to be successful and has resulted in changes in international guidelines. Ireland is among the world leaders in developing strategies to prevent heart failure.
Ireland is promoting pioneering innovations like the 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 on-line, 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. This service was first developed along the East Coast of Ireland and Carlow and is now being rolled out nationally through the Health Service Executive integrated care programme for chronic illness.
While no formal assessment of the economic impact of heart failure has been undertaken, the National Programme clinical leads, in collaboration with the Irish Heart Foundation, among others, undertook a "cost-to-state" analysis in 2015. It sought to help identify problem areas in heart failure prevention and treatment within the community as well as areas where spending can be increased to better serve the patient and healthcare professionals.
