Three Donegal politicans have backed a new Oireachtas Heart and Stroke Group as its inaugural meeting took place this week.
TDs Pat “The Cope” Gallagher and Charles Ward were joined by Senator Eileen Flynn in participating in the group’s inaugural meeting, which was set up by the Irish Heart Foundation.
The group is calling for greater supports to be made available for those suffering from a form of heart failure – some 4,478 people in Donegal according to the Irish Heart Foundation.
Amongst the measures they are calling for include greater access to cardiac rehabilitation, psychological support and help to ease financial hardship caused by heart failure.
Members of the group also heard this week 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 the estimated 137,000 people living 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 with the Irish Heart Foundation.
“Half of all admissions are due to poor self-care and are therefore largely preventable.
“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 Donegal and across the country.”
