The HSE has revealed that Community Care in the West and North West has improved the health outcomes and experiences for patients.
New 2023 figures indicate significant improvements in long waiting times and outpatient appointments as well as a high number of patients seen in the community rather than in hospital.
Over 48,000 radiology scans were performed by HSE West and North West, in 2023 alone. This surpasses the 30,700 scans completed in 2022.
Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer for HSE West and North West, acknowledged the continued rollout of the Enhanced Community Care Programme across the health service saying: “These new figures show the positive impact the Enhanced Community Care programme is making. Our new consultants are reducing waiting times, while the new Community Specialist Teams are providing early diagnosis, proactive management and improving outcomes for those with chronic diseases such as COPD, asthma, heart failure and diabetes in the community.
“Over 90 percent of patients attending their GP for structured chronic disease management are managed solely by their GP in their communities, instead of attending hospital for the ongoing management of their condition, saving the patient valuable time and money whilst also reducing pressures on hospitals.
“Also, the focus on chronic disease prevention and secondary prevention is having an impact on improving the health and wellbeing of our population, with social prescribing available throughout the North West and a full smoking cessation service with above national average Quit rates.”
