Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2024
335. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that failure to publish the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services is negatively impacting cardiac imaging services and registry roll out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5930/24]
View answerThe National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services, chaired by Prof Philip Nolan, commenced in 2018. A Steering Group formed from nominations of interested stakeholders representing medical, professional/technical staff, nursing, and patient representatives contributed to the Review.
The aim of the Cardiac Services Review is to recommend a configuration for national adult cardiac services to achieve optimal patient outcomes at the population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality, and sustainability of the services that patients receive. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme. In terms of scope, the National Review covers scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults and seeks to enhance and optimise service delivery across a region.
The Review faced considerable disruption during the pandemic and completed its work in 2023. The report is finalised. I have reviewed it, and a memo for the Government is being prepared. The recommendations of the review have been designed to inform the future provision of cardiac services nationally. Any future decisions on cardiac imaging services and registry roll out will be considered in this context.
