An initiative, which aims to improve the healthcare needs of people living with heart failure as well as their carers, will be launched next month by the Mayor of Galway city.
Councillor Frank Fahy will launch the Heart Failure Patient Alliance in support of heart failure patients nationwide at the Galway Bay Hotel on Saturday April 16 at 10am.
The alliance, which aims to be the voice of heart failure patients, is a joint initiative by heart failure charity, the Heartbeat Trust, and Croí, the local heart and stroke charity. Together they intend to mobilise the patient voice to improve the healthcare needs of people living with heart failure. The launch open to people living with heart failure, their family members or carers.
Speakers on the day will include heart failure specialist doctors, nurses and physiotherapists including Professor Ken McDonald, a consultant cardiologist at St Vincent’s Hospital, the clinical director of The Heartbeat Trust and the national clinical lead for heart failure. Other experts who will address the launch are Dr Pat Nash, a consultant cardiologist at Galway University Hospital, Denise Dunne, a physiotherapist; Mary O’Sullivan and Liz Killeen, heart failure specialist nurses at Galway University Hospital; Ciara Keane, The Heartbeat Trust, and Neil Johnson, Croí.
Empowering patients
Professor McDonald says The Heartbeat Trust is dedicated to supporting specialist clinical and research services in heart failure and heart failure prevention in Ireland.
“The Heartbeat Trust is now delighted to collaborate with Croí in the establishment of the Heart Failure Patient Alliance, the alliance aims to empower patients living with this chronic condition.”
Neil Johnson, the chief executive of Croí says the charity is delighted to partner with the Heartbeat Trust in uniting the voice of those living with heart failure in Ireland.
“Heart Failure is a chronic condition, the prevalence of which is set to increase in the coming years. The burden of heart failure could be significantly reduced through earlier diagnosis and better access to diagnostics.
“The Heart Failure Patient Alliance aims to advocate for greater awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart failure and better care pathways so that people living with heart failure and their carers can enjoy a better quality of life.”
Mayor of Galway City, Frank Fahy, says there is a lack of public awareness surrounding the causes, signs and symptoms of heart failure.
“I’m delighted to support the Heart Failure Patient Alliance which will be a vital resource in raising awareness and understanding of this condition and in supporting those affected by it.”
The meeting is organised by both the Heartbeat Trust and Croí and is supported by Novartis Ireland Ltd. To book a place telephone Croí at (091 ) 5443100 or log on to www.croi.ie/heartfailure Refreshments and educational material will be provided for those attending.
