Caption: Paul Nolan, Chief Cardiac Physiologist, University Hospital Galway

Galway patients are benefitting from swifter access to cardiac diagnostic tests and care following the introduction of heart failure diagnostics and care in the community in recent months.  The development of the Community Cardiac Diagnostics Programme has meant that waiting lists have reduced from six months to six weeks as a result.  Patients can now access services locally, avoiding the necessity for a visit to Galway University Hospital. 

Funded by Sláintecare, Galway University Hospitals is running this community-based service with Primary Care Centres in Tuam, Gort, Claremorris and Galway City, allowing patients to receive care closer to home in a Primary Care Centre. GPs can refer their patients with suspected Heart Failure directly to the service for tests and diagnosis. This makes it easier for patients to access routine care related to their heart condition.

Direct access for GPs to diagnostics allows patients to be treated in a community setting, going to hospital only where necessary, meeting the Sláintecare vision of shifting care appropriately, away from a hospital-centric model.

According to Paul Nolan, Chief Cardiac Physiologist at University Hospital Galway, the new service is proving to be “hugely beneficial” to patients.  In the feedback they have received, Dr Nolan explained that “Ninety five per cent of patients are either satisfied or very satisfied with the service.  The feedback has been hugely positive not just in relation to waiting times but also that the service is available close to home.”

Direct access for GPs to diagnostics allows patients to be treated in a community setting, going to hospital only where necessary, meeting the Sláintecare vision of shifting care appropriately, away from a hospital-centric model.

This new model of care is reducing pressure on hospital services such as Outpatient Cardiology (OPD), Emergency Department (ED) and Acute Medical Units (AMU). Over a thousand patients have already received diagnostic tests through the new service with 88% having come through a GP referral, 89% receiving access to tests within six weeks of referral and with 55% getting appointments in two weeks or less.

The collaborative approach also allows for quick follow-up where a patient requires further care.

The service is provided by the team of Cardiac Physiologists, under the clinical support of the Consultant Cardiologists, from Galway University Hospitals, rotating out to the centres.  The Cardiac Physiologists providing the service have internationally recognised accreditation in Echocardiography.  This, combined with it being under the clinical governance of the hospital gives associated quality assurance.  The clinical support and governance of the Consultant Cardiologists is vital, in terms of their expertise for more difficult cases and continuity of care in referral pathways.

The service currently operates from five clinics in Tuam, Claremorris, Gort and two in Galway city.

Paul Nolan, Chief Cardiac Physiologist at University Hospital Galway outlines the benefits of the new service to patients