Publication
Right Care, Right Place, Right Time
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Sláintecare in Action highlights the latest projects and activities that are helping us to deliver the right care in the right place at the right time.
In Ireland it is estimated that 500,000 people are living with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of whom over 200,000 have moderate or severe disease and only half are likely to be diagnosed. COPD has considerable impact on the quality of life of the patient, families, and carers, involving on-going medical care, frequent hospital admissions and often resulting in premature death. At least 1,500 patients die each year of this disease and over 15,000 patients are admitted to hospital with COPD. It has a profound effect on patients but also has a significant strain on the health service.
An estimated 5% of adults aged 18 and over in Ireland have diagnosed diabetes, and the total number of people living with diabetes in Ireland is growing year on year. It is expected that the number of people with Type 2 diabetes will increase by 60% over the next 10-15 years.
Diabetes care in Ireland has traditionally had a hospital focus. A new Sláintecare funded service is delivering community-based care that is patient-centred, locally delivered, coordinated and integrated.
Heart Failure affects an estimated 2% of the adult population in developing countries, and over 10% amongst the over 65s. It accounts for 5% of all emergency admissions in Ireland. Identifying, preventing, improving care and reducing hospital stays for those with heart failure is the aim of this new Sláintecare Heart Optimisation project in Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. The introduction of an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in Cardiology in Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is improving patient access and continuity of care.
Rehabilitative Palliative Care, a new Sláintecare pilot service run between St Francis Hospice and the Mater Hospital is providing integrated care that integrates the hospital and community elements of palliative care. The service aims to create a positive impact on patients’ lives, optimising their quality of life, and reduce their length of stay in hospital.
Wexford General Hospital (WGH) and CHO 5 South East Community Healthcare are integrating acute and community services for older people with their project Age Related Care (ARC) Team, which is funded by Sláintecare.
ARC provides Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments for older people who are referred to the service by the acute hospital as well as through community health services.
Patients in Galway are saving themselves hours of travel time, and hundreds of euros in travel expenses now that they can access routine heart check-ups and care closer to home. This new service, funded by Sláintecare, provides heart failure diagnostics and care in the community, meaning patients can avoid a trip to Galway University Hospitals.
The Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, and the Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke TD, have today launched a new programme which is aimed at supporting older adults to remain living in their own homes and communities.
A physical activity programme for adults with neurological conditions is up and running in CHO Mid-West.
Children and adolescents with obesity are at higher risk of health complications in childhood and into adulthood but currently in Ireland children can only access multidisciplinary treatment in Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street. The Sláintecare funded project: Facilitating Integration of Childhood Obesity Services in Primary Care Through Education, was developed to address known gaps in health professional training and is led by Dr. Grace O’Malley, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist and lead of the Obesity Research and Care Group in RCSI.
Talking Buddies is a new initiative funded by Sláintecare to promote language development in communities in Laois and Offaly and encourage everyone to get reading aloud to young children aged 0 -5.
Epilepsy Ireland are supporting people with epilepsy in the self-management of their condition, thereby reducing demand on the acute care system.
This innovative project which is being funded through the Sláintecare Integration Fund offers an in-depth education session to patients shortly after they are diagnosed with Epilepsy.
StrokeLINK, a new Sláintecare funded service, run by the Mater Hospital is supporting Stroke patients in Dublin North City and County to help them manage their condition.
Routine self-monitoring of blood pressure has increased from 58% before StrokeLINK to 97% with the support of StrokeLINK, which is an increase of 67%. This is helping them stay healthier at home for longer, and avoid hospital visits and stays.