Following a site visit to St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, presentations were made by each member of the Clonmel Multi-Disciplinary Team at St Joseph’s Hospital, Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

The presentations were delivered in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny on Tuesday 14^th May 2002 to Dr Emer Shelly, Heart Health Advisor and Brian Brogan, Assistant Principal Officer, Department of Health and Children. Dr Orlaith O’Reilly, Director of Public Health SEHB and Mary Whelan, Development Support Officer, CVD Strategy, SEHB accompanied Dr. Shelley and Mr. Brogan to this presentation.

Robert Quinn, Director of Nursing and Breda Kavanagh, Acting Regional Manager, SEHB, briefed the group on the structural developments for St. Joseph’s Hospital and future plans for this project. An outline of developments to date on the CVD Strategy was also given before each of the Multi-Disciplinary Team gave detailed presentations on progress to date in their own area. The Team consists of Liz Ryan, Resuscitation Training Officer (half time), Gabrielle Wassell, Cardiac Disease Management Nurse, Margaret Hewitt, CNM2 Coronary Care Unit, Ann O’Brien, Chest Pain Nurse Specialist, Helen Ryan, Cardiac Rehabilitation Co-Ordinatory, Patricia Gubbins, Physiotherapist, Aisling Murphy, Cardiac Dietician, Deirdre Whelan, Senior Cardiac Technician, who presented on behalf of Mary Delahunty, Chief Cardiac Technician (who unfortunately was unable to attend) and Anna Walsh, Smoking Cessation Officer. All of these appointments are providing specialist care and knowledge for patients and staff through ongoing education and training and been as a result of the implementation Cardiovascular Disease Strategy.

Dr. Shelley and Mr. Brogan acknowledged the excellent work being done in Clonmel. The appointment of a Consultant Cardiologist at the hospital later this year will consolidate the progress to date and lead this service for its development in the future.