Dedicated chronic disease clinic for Cavan

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly to visit Cavan tomorrow.

Approval has been granted for a new dedicated chronic disease clinic at Cavan General Hospital.

Ahead of Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly’s visit to Cavan tomorrow, Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan and Monaghan, Niamh Smyth, welcomed the approval.

“I’m delighted to see the approval for a Cavan Chronic Disease Hub which will be located on the grounds of Cavan General Hospital. This will cover the three chronic disease areas – cardiology, respiratory and diabetes.

“Each of the teams consist of Consultants, Clinical Nurse Specialists, (CNS’s) Physiotherapists, Dieticians, Podiatrists , Psychology, GP and Administration Staff. There are also specialist posts linked to diagnostics in the areas of Radiology, Respiratory and Cardiac. Ten posts will be based in the acute hospital, however the majority of staff will be based in the Cavan Chronic Disease Hub.”

Seven posts will also be based in the Monaghan Spoke which will be located in the grounds of Monaghan Hospital.

The Cavan and Monaghan TD added: “The objective of the specialist Ambulatory Chronic Disease Hubs is to provide ready access to diagnostics, specialist healthcare professionals and specialist support to GPs in the community in managing patients with Chronic Disease.”

According to the HSE, as of 1st June 2022 there are 11 WTE (Whole Time Equivalent) operational in Chronic Disease in Cavan Monaghan.

Recruitment is progressing in relation to CNS’s, Dieticians, Consultants and Physiotherapists.

The Cavan Chronic Disease Hub and Monaghan Spoke are currently in the design phase and it is hoped these buildings will be operational by Q3 2023.

Clinical staff are currently providing clinics in Primary Care Centres and GP Practices in Cavan Monaghan.

Working Groups have been set up in the Clinical areas to ensure services will be streamlined between the Acute Hospitals and Primary Care.