Delgany Heart Attack Survivor Urges Increased Funding for Irish Heart Foundation Services

Melanie Enright, a resident of Delgany, County Wicklow, is calling on the Irish government to boost funding for the Irish Heart Foundation's (IHF) support services for heart and stroke patients in Wicklow. Enright suffered a major heart attack in June 2021 and credits the IHF's "invaluable" cardiac rehabilitation services and nurse support line with helping her recover.

However, the IHF currently receives only 8.6% of the €1.2 million needed annually to fund its patient support services across the country. This is insufficient to help the estimated 18,000 people in Wicklow suffering from cardiovascular disease.

Why this matters: Adequate funding for the IHF's services is essential for providing practical, social, and emotional support to the growing number of heart attack and stroke survivors in Ireland. Without these services, patients may struggle to recover and continue living independently in their homes, potentially leading to increased healthcare costs for the state.

Enright emphasized the importance of the IHF's services, stating, "The IHF support services were a huge part of my recovery. Without them, I would have been completely lost. I fear that others in my position may not be able to access such support if the funding is not increased."

The IHF's services help reduce costs for the state by supporting patients to continue living in their homes. However, only a fraction of this work is state-funded. Enright believes that the lack of funding would be "hugely damaging to Ireland as a society" and that heart attack and stroke survivors would not know where to turn for support without the IHF's services.

Enright's experience highlights the critical role the IHF plays in supporting cardiovascular disease patients in Wicklow and across Ireland. As the number of people affected by heart attacks and strokes continues to rise, ensuring adequate funding and access to the IHF's services is more important than ever.

Key Takeaways

• Melanie Enright calls for more funding for IHF's patient support services in Wicklow.
• IHF receives only 8.6% of €1.2M needed to fund its patient support services nationwide.
• IHF's services are essential for recovery and independent living of heart/stroke patients.
• Lack of funding could lead to increased healthcare costs and lack of support for patients.
• Adequate IHF funding is crucial as cardiovascular disease cases continue to rise in Ireland.