As part of the first annual Cardiovascular Scientific Conference in the South Eastern Health Board, representatives of the Department of Health and Children visited St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny.

On arrival at the hospital, Dr. Emer Shelly, Heart Health Advisor, and Brian Brogan, Assistant Principal Officer from the Department of Health and Children were greeted by a welcoming committee consisting of Anne Slattery, General Manager; Patricia Sullivan, Director of Nursing; Dr. Michael Conway, Consultant Cardiologist / Physician; Dr. Gary Courtney, Consultant Physician and Bernie O’Brien, Cardiac Rehabilitation Co-Ordinator. Dr. Shelley and Mr. Brogan were accompanied on this visit by Dr. Orlaith O’Reilly, Director of Public Health, SEHB, and Mary Whelan, Development Support Officer, CVD Strategy, SEHB.

The visit consisted of a tour of Cardiac Diagnostic Department, Coronary Care Unit and Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit.

The new Cardiac Diagnostic Department was the first port of call where Mary Kennedy, Chief Cardiac Diagnostic Technician, greeted the group. Prior to the CVD Strategy the Cardiac Diagnostic Department operated a very limited service with a considerable waiting time for Cardiac Diagnostic tests. Two years on, two Student Cardiac Technicians have been employed, TransOesophageal Echo Testing has been introduced, services have been increased and TOMCAT (Cardiac Diagnostic Management System) has recently been introduced to the hospital.

These developments are a direct result of funding received from the Cardiovascular Disease Strategy. Ms Kennedy demonstrated other equipment purchased following the commencement of the implementation of the CVD Strategy in the SEHB.

Dr. Michael Conway and Dr. Gary Courtney then led the group to the new Coronary Care Unit of the hospital, which was officially opened by Micheál Martin, Minister for Health and Children in April 2002. The Coronary Care Unit has six acute monitored beds and six telemetry systems extending monitoring systems to medical wards in the hospital. This unit has received funding for staff and equipment from the CVD Strategy.

Finally a visit was made to the new Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, also opened in April by Minister Martin where Phase III of Cardiac Rehabilitation commenced in February 2002. Phase III is a 10 week exercise programme, with the assistant of a Physiotherapist, three times a week for one hour. Bernie O’Brien, Cardiac Rehabilitation Co-Ordinator outlined the development of Cardiac Rehabilitation services available to patients in the Kilkenny and Carlow areas. Phase 1 commenced in January 2001 consisting of education for patients and families about the development of heart disease and what can be done to reduce the risk of future cardiac events. Phase II commenced a year later with six education classes following discharge from hospital, delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. These education classes are of great support to patients at a time when they and / or their families may be anxious and nervous following their return home. Three months later an outreach education programme was commenced in Carlow.

A reception was held in the Education Centre of the Hospital where the group were introduced to the full multi-disciplinary team consisting of Chest Pain Nurse Specialist, Cardiac Disease Management Nurse, Cardiac Dietician, Cardiac Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Manager and staff, Health Promotion Officer, Resuscitation Training Officer and Chief Pharmacist.