Challenges of Heart Disease, Diabetes and Stroke highlighted at Mayo Conference

Croí, the West of Ireland Cardiac Foundation, in collaboration with Mayo Primary, Community and Continuing Care (PCCC) recently hosted, for the first time in Ireland, a conference for health professionals at the frontline of care delivery in the community.

This Primary Care Conference on Cardiovascular Disease ‘From Policy to Practice’ was held in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport. Convened as part of the ‘Heart Smart’ Mayo Programme, this event was supported by an educational grant from Merck Sharpe & Dohme.

Opening the meeting, Mr. Martin Greaney, General Manager, Mayo PCCC said “This conference highlights the pivotal role of primary care in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease and provides an opportunity for Health Care Professionals working in the areas of diabetes, stroke and coronary heart disease here in Co. Mayo to explore ways to achieve better outcomes for patients”.

Attended by Health Care Professionals from Primary Care and hospital services in Co. Mayo, health experts discussed the most up-to-date research on aspects of Cardiovascular Disease relevant to everyday clinical practice and provided a forum for discussion on current issues in Cardiovascular Disease Management. Addressing the delegates, Dr. Thomas Walsh, Stroke Physician, University Hospital Galway spoke about the devastating impact of stroke on patients and their families, with stroke now being the leading cause of adult disability globally.

The forum was also addressed by Dr. Joe Clarke, GP in Co. Meath and National Primary Care Lead in the HSE. “Ireland’s population is ageing and there is an increasing burden of chronic disease putting pressure on the health system.” he cautioned. Dr. Clarke informed delegates about the new clinical care programmes being implemented nationally with plans to integrate and co-ordinate multidisciplinary team approaches to the management of chronic diseases in Primary Care.

Speaking about the event Croi ‘Heart Smart’ Co-ordinator Ailish Houlihan said “This inaugural meeting featured an outstanding conference programme and an excellent line up of speakers on many relevant topics relating to cardiovascular health such as diabetes, stroke, obesity, managing blood pressure and exercise prescription. This conference provided an opportunity for clinicians to share their knowledge and expertise in how best to improve primary health care provision and quality of care to individuals with chronic illness”