Plans for a radical overhaul and expansion of heart and lung surgery services, costing in excess of £40 million, have been outlined by the Minister for Health. It is hoped the measures will cut public waiting times for heart surgery, involving 1,650 patients, from up to three years to six months.
The package was welcomed by some of the State's leading cardiac surgeons, and support organisations such as the Irish Heart Foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland, which represents people in need of heart/ lung transplants.
Cardiac surgery capacity is to be increased by more than 50 per cent by expanding current facilities and establishing new cardiac surgery units. Dublin's Mater Hospital, with its National Cardiac Surgery Unit, will maintain a central role by carrying out the most complex surgical cases, including transplants, and helping to train medical staff.
On coming into office, Mr Cowen sought a review of recommendations by the Cardiac Surgery Option Appraisal Group. Yesterday's package extended its recommendations to ensure adequate additional cardiac surgery capability.
The Minister said the recommendations had failed to address regional imbalances in services and did not tackle cardiac surgery needs of children, the issue of a heart/lung transplant unit and the need for prevention of cardiovascular disease; issues beyond its brief.
Heart disease is the second-biggest killer in Ireland after cancer. "What that means is that 280 people die every week from some form of heart disease. One third of all premature deaths - i.e., in the under-65 age group - is caused by cardiovascular disease." Mr Cowen said current arrangements could not continue. "I cannot defend a situation where private patients have access to life-enhancing, or even life-saving, operations without delay while public patients must wait."
The measures include:
development of additional adult cardiac surgery facilities at St James's Hospital, with a target of 450 procedures a year.
development of paediatric cardiac surgery at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Dublin, to carry out 100 additional procedures a year.
cardiac surgery services at University College Hospital, Galway, to carry out 300 procedures annually, mainly bypass operations.
a phased-in establishment of a heart/lung transplant service at the Mater in association with St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin.
a special working group to devise a national strategy on cardiovascular health with an emphasis on prevention and including issues of smoking, exercise and obesity.
extension of services at Cork University Hospital.
Cardiac surgeon Mr Maurice Neligan of the Mater predicted the initiative would help abolish inequities. The Mater would contribute fully, particularly in training staff. He said there would be an immediate need for up 50 intensive care nurses and training of specialist technical staff - the number of cardiac surgeons employed nationally is set to increase from seven to 11.
Irish Heart Foundation chief executive, Mr Paddy Murphy, welcomed the comprehensive range of initiatives, including an emphasis on disease prevention.
