Programme Overview

The National Clinical Programme for VTE Programme (NCP-VTE) was established in October 2022 to provide governance for the prevention, diagnosis, management and long-term care of venous thromboembolism in hospitals and in the community. A key component of the programme is to Increase awareness of VTE, including its clinical presentation, among patients and healthcare professionals.

VTE has been named as a priority area for action in the 2021 HSE National Service Plan and in the 2021 World Health Organization global patient safety action Plan.

About Venous thromboembolism

Venous thromboembolism comprises deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) and affects approximately 5000 Irish people every year. VTE has an annual incidence of approximately 1-2 per 1000 individuals in high-income countries.

Up to 50% of survivors suffer long-term conditions, including post-thrombotic syndrome, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, post-traumatic stress disorder/panic syndrome, recurrent VTE and anticoagulant-associated bleeding.

VTE is a leading cause of preventable cause of death and disability in hospitals.

VTE is also the leading cause of direct maternal death in pregnancy.