Call for more support for Kildare patients of heart failure
Professor Emer Joyce, Consultant Heart Function and Transplant Cardiologist at The Mater Hospital and Dr Eamonn O’Shea GP, HSE/ICGP Integrated Care GP Clinical Lead Cardiovascular with the Irish College of General Practitioners at the Heart and Stroke Oireachtas Group meeting, set up by the Irish Heart Foundation Photo Justin Farrelly
Kildare TDs have participated in vital public health support at the inaugural Oireachtas Heart and Stroke group meeting on heart failure at Leinster House for the estimated 6,640 people living with heart failure in the county.
Deputies Naoise Ó Cearúil, Sean Ó Fearghaíl and Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh showed their support on 2 July, and are backing a call for people living with heart failure in Kildare to receive greater access to cardiac rehabilitation, psychological support and help to ease financial hardship caused by the condition.
Members of the group, set up by the Irish Heart Foundation, heard from patient champions and heart failure patients Stephen Comerford and Teresa O’Hanlon, Professor Emer Joyce, consultant heart function and transplant cardiologist at The Mater Hospital, Dr Eamonn O’Shea, GP, HSE/ICGP integrated care GP clinical lead cardiovascular with the Irish College of General Practitioners and the foundation’s director of advocacy and patient support, Chris Macey.
They spoke about Ireland’s rapidly growing cardiac condition, a chronic disease that occurs when the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should, and the disabilities and challenges faced by those with heart failure in Ireland.
“The HSE has estimated that 30 per cent of heart failure patients are back in hospital within 90 days of discharge,” said Chris Macey, director of advocacy.
“Half of all admissions are due to poor self-care and are therefore largely preventable."
He said the group wanted to ensure that supports for patients were prioritised.
“Heart failure patients, along with others living with heart disease and stroke, need more help to address the psychological impact of their condition, financial hardship that can result and gain greater access to rehabilitation services.”
“The purpose of this new group is to ensure that services and supports for people affected by cardiovascular disease are prioritised in Kildare and across the country.”
