To ask the Minister of Health, pursuant to AQW/7659/22-27, to detail the areas of work in the Northern Ireland Cardiac Network's three-year work plan, including funding assigned to the workplan.

The key areas within the Cardiac Network’s three-year work plan which are in progress are outlined below:

Heart Failure and Cardiac Rehabilitation Strategic Leadership Groups have been established to optimise and standardise pathways across Northern Ireland (NI).

NI cardiac catheterisation laboratories capacity and demand modelling, exploring options of alternative and less invasive investigations.

Establishment of a Cardiac Pacing Task and Finish (T&F) Group to ensure appropriate management of symptomatic patients presenting to hospital with unstable cardiac rhythms.

Planned review of the Rapid Angina Access Clinic Services to ensure patients meet the specified referral criteria and are assessed at a specialist clinic within the agreed standards.

Establishment of a Palpitation Pathway Expansion T&F Group to evaluate and develop primary care palpitation pathways in NI.

Commence a regional medical workforce review of Consultants, Specialists and Associate Specialists, with a view of facilitating cross-Trust working.

Planned review of Clinical Physiologist workforce specific to transthoracic echo.

Planned review of NI inpatient pre-operative cardiac surgery guidelines to ensure a streamlined access to inpatient cardiac surgery.

Any service developments resulting from these workstreams will be subject to approval and the availability of funding.