Ensuring cardiovascular care remains a priority at both national and regional level was the focus of the Irish Heart Foundation’s latest Oireachtas Heart and Stroke Group meeting in Leinster House on 14 July.
TDs, Senators and Department of Health officials heard first-hand about the importance of keeping heart and stroke care at the forefront of healthcare planning, service provision and resource allocation in the years ahead.
Speakers included Prof. Caroline Daly, Consultant Cardiologist at St James’s Hospital; Dr Tim Cassidy, Chairperson of the Irish National Audit of Stroke Governance; Arthur Little, a stroke survivor from Cork; and Julie Garvey, Patient Supports Co-Lead at the Irish Heart Foundation. They were joined by many Patient Champions from across Ireland, many of whom attended Leinster House to share their experiences.
With the support of the National Heart Office and the National Stroke Programme, the Irish Heart Foundation unveiled a detailed document outlining acute, community, patient and organisational support needs. The document provides an overview of cardiovascular care requirements in Ireland, from diagnosis through to long-term support in the community. It is intended to serve as a resource for national and regional healthcare decision-makers, policymakers and elected representatives responsible for planning and allocating resources across cardiovascular services.
Speaking about the document, Interim Director of Advocacy at the Irish Heart Foundation, Mark Murphy, said:
“The Irish Heart Foundation has worked with the National Heart Office, the National Stroke Programme, individual clinicians, and cardiovascular patients to provide a comprehensive guide to the crucial care needs of heart and stroke patients in Ireland in 2026, which we hope will be advantageous to national and regional healthcare decision makers, and those with responsibility for resource provision, going forward.
“Presenting this comprehensive document to the TDs and Senators in our Irish Heart Foundation Oireachtas Heart and Stroke group is the next step to securing political and financial support for cardiovascular patient care needs in Ireland both at national and regional level.
“Cardiovascular care prioritization from government level right through to local regional level is vital if we are to ensure that Ireland’s estimated 600,000 heart and stroke patients are to receive the healthcare they need and deserve.
The Irish Heart Foundation will continue to do all it can to support heart and stroke patient health and wellbeing needs both now and into the future.”
For more on the Irish Heart Foundation’s Advocacy work for heart and stroke patients, visit our Advocacy News section or contact advocacy@irishheart.ie.
Ensuring cardiovascular care remains a priority at both national and regional level was the focus of the Irish Heart Foundation's latest Oireachtas Heart and Stroke Group meeting in Leinster House on 14 July.
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