The 6th meeting of the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services Steering Group was held on Friday last, the 29th June 2018. The Steering Group received a presentation on the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) system from the Health Pricing Office on its operation and its quality control processes. The Secretariat of the Review then provided an update to the Steering Group in relation to the various work packages that comprise the Review.
The public consultation survey is now available at https://dohresearch.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3PpursZru30J1e5 and will remain open till August 17th, 2018. The main focus of the meeting was on the preparation of the questions which will form the Evidence Review exercise, along with a proposal for an invitational key stakeholder consultation event expected to be held in October 2018. Data analysis is ongoing. The next meeting of the Steering Group will be on 3rd September 2018. A summary of all meetings and related documents are published on the Department of Health website.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor
Chair Professor Philip Nolan has been President of Maynooth University for the past 6 years where he has led strategic development that has advanced research capacity and transformed undergraduate curricula. He is currently President of the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and Chair of the IUA’s Task Group on Reform of University Selection and Entry.
Professor Philip Nolan’s academic career, which includes a PhD and various scientific research accolades, point to a strong commitment to methodological rigour in generating evidence. This followed a primary degree in Physiology in 1988 and the medical degrees of MB BCh BAO in 1991 from University College Dublin (UCD). Professor Nolan then spent a short time in medical practice so understands the health service and the need to use and apply data and evidence to optimise patient outcomes. In 1996 Professor Nolan joined the staff of University College Dublin, where he received both the UCD President’s Research and Teaching Awards. He led the development of UCD’s Health Sciences Centre, which opened in 2005, and was Director of the UCD Conway Institute from 2003-2004. Professor Nolan was appointed Registrar and Deputy President of UCD in 2004, where he continued to lead developments until his appointment to Maynooth.
Steering Group The Steering Group consists of patients, relevant health professionals, senior HSE management and senior departmental officials. Collectively, the Group has expertise in clinical provision, service management, service policy, clinical effectiveness and patient safety, public health and patient experience. The list of members is available on the dedicated webpage.
Aim The aim of the National Review is to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service. In terms of scope, the National Review will cover scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults.
Methods The National Review will conduct its business by: generating key questions on which rigorous systematic reviews of the evidence will be undertaken using internationally recognised methodology; consulting with the public and relevant stakeholders – including a call for submissions; identifying international best practice; carrying out a number of site visits; and, analysing data on existing services and populations. In addition, an International Reference Panel comprised of international experts will be formed to provide independent peer review for the process. The Committee will in general meet monthly.