To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the work of the Cardiac Network, including its plans for the future.

The update on the Cardiac Network’s work is as follows:

The pacing workstream achieved a regional consensus on the referral and management pathway of patients presenting to hospital with bradyarrhythmia. An agreed process has been implemented for escalation and safe inter-hospital transfer of these patients to a regional centre, if required;

In line with NICE guidelines, the Rapid Angina Assessment Clinic (RAAC) workstream implemented a regional pathway for the assessment and diagnosis of patients with new on-set chest pain suggestive of stable angina;

The palpitation pathway was expanded to Mid Ulster GP practices;

Pre-operative guidelines for inpatients awaiting cardiac surgery have been revised and agreed resulting in streamlined access to inpatient cardiac surgery;

The two strategic leadership groups are continuing their work: the Heart Failure project is scheduled to end on 31 December 2024 and the Cardiac Rehabilitation project end date is planned for 31 March 2024;

The cardiac catheterisation laboratories capacity and demand modelling project is progressing and planned to be completed by December 2024;

The regional medical workforce review of cardiology Consultants, Specialists and Associate Specialists is progressing and will continue into 2025;

The regional clinical physiologist workforce review, which specifically relates to transthoracic echocardiography, has commenced recently and will continue into 2025.

The Cardiac Network will continue to work with stakeholders towards implementation of best practice guidelines across cardiac services in NI.