The Errigal Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Hub in Donegal hosted an event this week to celebrate the achievements of the Integrated Care (IC) teams and their pioneering work improving services for patients.
These teams consist of the Respiratory, Diabetes and Cardiology services. The integrated care teams aim to join up our health and social care services, to deliver care that is safe, timely, efficient and as close to home as possible.
The event highlighted the HSE Excellence Award won by the Respiratory Integrated Care (RIC) team for their CARE Virtual Ward, as well as the efforts of the IC Cardiology and Respiratory teams over the past two years.
The Care Virtual Ward won a HSE Health Excellence award this year in the Improving Patient Experience category. The Care Virtual Ward was launched in November 2023. It supports patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) by offering care at home. Over 200 patients have benefited from this service, which allows them to be monitored by nurses and physiotherapists while recovering at home. The service has reduced hospital admissions by 22%, decreased readmission rates from 27.8% to 13.8%, and saved 880 acute bed days at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH).
Pictured are members of the Respiratory Team receiving the award from Amanda Doyle, Head of Primary Care Service, Cavan, Donegal Monaghan, Leitrim, Sligo from left are Dr. Manuel Ramos, Cathy Farrell, Mandy Doyle, Head of Primary Care Service, Cavan, Donegal Monaghan, Leitrim, Sligo and Marie Collins. Photo Clive Wasson
The IC Heart Failure Service was highly commended in 2023 HSE Health Excellence award in the category of ‘Right Care, Right Place Right Time’. The IC Heart Failure Service, launched in 2020 and expanded in 2021, offers patients local management for heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and palpitations. The service has reduced heart failure-related admissions by 25% and readmission rates by 56%. It provides early reviews and follow-up appointments both at the Errigal CDM Hub and local community clinics.
The Integrated Care Diabetes Service offers a range of support services for Type 2 diabetes patients, including nursing clinics, dietetic consultations, and diabetes prevention programs. This has improved access to care, reduced waiting times, and helped more than 300 patients avoid hospital admissions.
Liam Bradley, a service user said, “The Care Virtual Ward has made a real difference in my life. Before this service was available I would have been admitted to hospital every time my COPD exacerbated. Now I can manage my condition at home with the support of the staff. It’s a huge relief.”
Pictured are seated Janet Given, Mandy Doyle, Head of Primary Care Service Cavan, Donegal Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo and Liam Bradley. Back from left Antoinette Doherty, ANP and Sonya Murray, ANP. Photo Clive Wasson
Mandy Doyle, Head of Primary Care Services for Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo, who presented the awards praised the efforts of the Integrated Care teams, saying, “We are incredibly proud of the impact these services have had on our patients lives. The CDM service has transformed care delivery, allowing patients to remain well at home. We are committed to further improving these services and ensuring high-quality care is accessible to all.”
Claire McRory, Operational Lead for CDM Donegal, expressed her pride in the team’s success, “The collaboration between hospital and community teams has been key to the success of these services. The positive feedback and data show that we are truly making a difference in patients’ lives.”
The Integrated Care teams in Donegal will continue to expand these services, providing high-quality care as close to home as possible.
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