HSE’s Integrated Cardiology Service for Wexford Open day in Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre

The six month milestone in the development of cardiac care services in the Co. Wexford area was marked in Enniscorthy this week.

Appropriately, the Open Day hosted by the HSE’s Integrated Cardiology Service for Wexford in the Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre, took place on Valentine’s Day.

In addition to a display of items tracking the history in development of cardiac care services in the county (including its latest phase in integrating with community healthcare services), the open day also feature a giant lego heart provided by cardiac pharmaceutical manufacturers Novartis.   

This year was just the third time in 80 years that Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday coincided on 14th of February and it also happened to be National No Smoking Day. The HSE’s “Quit” team of Stop Smoking Advisors from its Health and Wellbeing services were also invited along to be part of the presentations featuring at the open day in the Primary Care Centre.

The Open Day was an opportunity to showcase work such as the “Integrated Community Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme” and “Lipid Clinic” in community healthcare services locally.

The Integrated Cardiology service is a new initiative of the HSE, under the Sláintecare plan for Enhanced Community Care. Patients are referred by their GP/Practice Nurse to a service which includes a Consultant/Nurse Specialist-led Cardiology clinic and newly launched Community Cardiac Rehabilitation programme. The Cardiac Rehabilitation programme, now operational in the Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre, is an expansion of the service originally established in Wexford General Hospital in the early 1990s.

These new services reflect the Sláintecare vision of providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time. Services are led by Dr. Cyril James (Consultant Cardiologist/Integrated Care, Wexford General Hospital/South East Community Healthcare), with additional clinical services provided by his team of Clinical Nurse Specialists, Physiotherapist and Clinical Psychologist further enhancing access to essential cardiac services throughout Co. Wexford. 

In addition to Dr. James, those to address the gathering in Enniscorthy Open Day included Consultant Physician and former Clinical Director of Wexford General Hospital Dr. Colm Quigley, who has been supporting the roll-out of the integrated service.

Speaking at the occasion in Enniscorthy, Liz Murphy (Integrated Cardio-Vascular Specialist Nurse) said:

“With the support of the HSE, Wexford General Hospital, South East Community Healthcare and GP practices locally, the opening of the Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre last year has seen the establishment of a Chronic Disease Management Hub here. We are well under way in Co. Wexford in meeting the aim set for 80% of those living with chronic disease – be it respiratory, cardio or diabetes – to receive care in the community. With our colleague in the Ireland East Hospital Group, South East Community Healthcare has been progressing a cardiovascular service for GPs and linking in the expertise of the cardiac care services based in Wexford General Hospital’s unit in Ely Hospital.”

“As detailed here today by Dr. Quigley, we are also delighted to welcome retired Consultant Physician Dr. McKiernan to the Open Day. Dr. McKiernan was instrumental in establishing the first cardiac care unit at Wexford General Hospital (WGH) 30 years ago in 1994. We are also delighted to be joined by John Quinn and Sean Lacey, who were active in the initial fundraising efforts for its development by the Friends of Wexford Cardiac Care Unit, and by former Director of Nursing in WGH Margaret Curran who managed the unit. Patricia Hackett (Operations Manager Clinical Services, Wexford General Hospital) is also here to demonstrate Wexford General Hospital’s commitment to the exciting developments in integrated care.”