The newly launched model gives patients:
- Equal access to the highest standards of care
- Greater flexibility of choice in rehab programmes
- Improved cardiac patient recovery outcomes
18th October 2023: Heart & Stroke Voice Ireland (HSVI), Ireland’s alliance of heart and stroke patients and carers, has today welcomed the HSE’s new Model of Care for Integrated Cardiac Rehabilitation.
The initiative presents Ireland’s first standardised model of care for cardiac rehabilitation services across the country.
Equality of access, greater flexibility of choice, and community-integrated rehabilitation services are all key priorities of this new model, which in line with the best international evidence and practice, proposes a new patient-centred model of care.
Welcoming the announcement today, David Kelly, Chair of HSVI, said:
“Heart & Stroke Voice Ireland welcomes the HSE’s newly published Model of Care for Integrated Cardiac Rehabilitation. HSVI was established to give a unified voice to heart patients, stroke survivors and their carers, and to advocate for a patient-centred model of care and more equitable access to rehabilitation services – both of which are core elements of this new strategy.”
“As patients and carers, HSVI recognises the importance of being able to access high-quality cardiac rehabilitation services – when successfully implemented, they are proven to increase longevity, reduce anxiety and depression post-event, and overall enhance one’s recovery after a cardiac event or diagnosis of heart disease.”
“Previously, many patients might have struggled to complete their full rehab programme as a result of geographic barriers, time constraints, or a sense that the programme did not fully recognise their needs. This new HSE model will introduce a standardised model of care that ensures all cardiovascular patients across the country are afforded equal access to the highest international standards of cardiac rehabilitation, in a way that best suits their needs”, David Kelly added.
In line with Sláintecare, the model recommends the integration of cardiac rehabilitation services across hospital and community settings to provide person-centered care by a multidisciplinary team of nursing, health and social care professionals, and medical and administration staff.
While HSVI welcomed the announcement and model of care in principle, they highlighted the need for a swifter rollout of the Sláintecare policy and proper resourcing in communities across the country, stressing that these factors were crucial for its implementation to be successful.