Each year, approximately 80,000 patients are discharged from hospitals, only to face a daunting journey of recovery with minimal guidance, support, or information.    

This gap in the continuum of care has led to an alarming rate of hospital readmissions and a pervasive sense of abandonment among patients—a situation that is not only preventable but demands immediate action.

A number of challenges face heart patients in Ireland:

• A lack of an overarching policy framework for cardiovascular health since the Department of Health’s Changing Cardiovascular Health: Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010 – 2019 expired.
• Lack of Community Support: Patients with cardiovascular disease often face significant challenges upon discharge from hospital, including a lack of access to essential information, support networks, and resources necessary for effective disease management and recovery.
• High Readmission Rates: The absence of adequate post-discharge support results in high hospital readmission rates, indicating a failure to provide sustainable healthcare solutions for cardiovascular patients.
• Sense of Abandonment: The insufficiency of support services leads to a widespread sense of abandonment among individuals living with heart disease, exacerbating their condition and hindering their overall well-being.