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Briain Kelly, 28 Sep
Almost 300 patients have passed through a new hub for providing cardiac
care in the community established in Galway City this year.
The Enhanced Community Care pathway for Cardiology has been up and running
since March 2023, cutting back on hospital waiting lists.
Operating under the Saolta University Health Care Group and Community
Healthcare West, it provides integrated care for patients in the west of
Ireland.
Work carried out by the Galway City Hub has resulted in 300 patients being
removed from the Galway University Hospitals waiting lists.
This has been through a variety of initiatives such as list validation, a
chest pain initiative, setting up of appointments at the hub instead of
the hospital and the redirection of GUH hospital heart failure wait list
to the hub.
“The ECC programme has been absolutely transformational for the care of
patients with chronic cardiovascular disease,” said Dr Susan Connolly,
Cardiologist with UHG.
“We have seen 298 new patients in the hub and had 1,300 clinical contacts
since we started,” Dr Connolly added.
Through the work of the enhanced community care programme patients are
being treated for their chronic heart disease closer to home. This is
proving life changing for those now availing of the community based
service.
Services at the Galway City hub are provided in an integrated fashion
between GPs, practice nurses, community specialist teams and hospital
specialist teams.
Noel Ridge, a patient at the Integrated Care Hub shared his experience of
how its services have positively impacted his life and health.
“I’ve had three heart attacks and been in the hospital nine times in the
last 18 months. But I’ve come through it.”
“The support I receive at the hub provides great comfort because I’m not
waiting for hospital appointments that are months or a year apart. If I
don’t feel well, I can call the hub right away and explain what’s
happening.”
“Overall, visiting the hub is much more convenient as it is closer to home
and appointments are scheduled at specific times, which reduces a lot of
stress.”
Dr Connolly added: “One of the main benefits we hear from patients is that
they now feel they have a safety net. With the Chronic Disease Management
service we meet these patients in hospital and establish the link with the
community service.”
“Two in five patients in Ireland present with more than one chronic
conditions, which traditionally saw each patient attending a wide range of
different hospital services. This care is now streamlined in the hub for
patients with multiple conditions.”