Heart failure patients in Ireland 'abandoned' - survey

and help cut excessive mortality and hospital readmission rates;

* Medical cards for all heart failure patients, removal of prescription charges and an assessment of the economic impact of the condition on patients;

* Expansion of services to tackle the psychological impact of the disease - currently available in just four hospitals nationwide;

* Investment in practical, social and emotional supports in the community that reduce readmissions and improve quality of life;

*Full access for all patients to cardiac rehabilitation.

Awareness and understanding of heart failure among both the public and policymakers is low, according to Dr Angie Brown, Consultant Cardiologist and Medical Director with the Irish Heart Foundation.

“Awareness and understanding of the condition among both the public and policymakers is low,” said Dr Angie Brown, Consultant Cardiologist and Medical Director with the Irish Heart Foundation.

“This is contributing to a persistent, long-term under-prioritisation of heart failure.

“Although a lot has been achieved, more needs to be done. Our survey of almost 200 heart failure patients reveals a population of all ages, all walks of life and from throughout the country who are struggling amid a variety of unmet needs.”

TD and Oireachtas Health Committee member, John Lahart, who invited the charity to share its report with TDs and Senators, said: “We need to see significant changes in policy and service provision, and the reinstatement of a Deputy CMO role within the Department of Health to mirror their HSE clinical counterpart.”