New chest pain clinic speeds up heart care in Cork
Patients in Cork and Kerry now benefit from faster heart checks through a new nurse-led clinic at Cork University Hospital. The service reduces delays in specialist assessments and cuts unnecessary hospital visits for chest pain sufferers.
Source:
HSE — Health Service Executive
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⏱️ 2 min read
A pioneering nurse-led chest pain clinic has opened its doors at Cork University Hospital (CUH), transforming how patients in Cork and Kerry access urgent cardiac care. The Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic (RACPC), led by Advanced Nurse Practitioners Jennifer Aherne and Valerie Lynch under the guidance of Consultant Cardiologist Dr Risteard O'Lionaird, offers a streamlined pathway for those experiencing stable chest pain. Referrals from GPs are now processed through Healthlink, enabling quicker reviews and prioritisation of cases that require specialist attention.
The clinic’s introduction of telephone triage has revolutionised referral management, allowing the team to assess patients remotely before deciding on next steps. Those deemed to need face-to-face appointments are seen within 14 days, ensuring timely evaluations and reducing the burden on emergency services. The service focuses on early symptom evaluation, rapid diagnostic testing, and prompt treatment planning to mitigate cardiovascular risks.
Valerie Lynch highlighted the clinic’s impact: *“Telephone triage has transformed how we handle referrals, letting us act faster and use resources more efficiently while delivering a more responsive service for both patients and GPs.”* Jennifer Aherne added: *“We provide a full cardiac assessment and work closely with the consultant team to arrange investigations, while also supporting patients to manage their heart health long-term.”* The initiative marks a significant step towards improving cardiac care outcomes across the region.
The clinic’s introduction of telephone triage has revolutionised referral management, allowing the team to assess patients remotely before deciding on next steps. Those deemed to need face-to-face appointments are seen within 14 days, ensuring timely evaluations and reducing the burden on emergency services. The service focuses on early symptom evaluation, rapid diagnostic testing, and prompt treatment planning to mitigate cardiovascular risks.
Valerie Lynch highlighted the clinic’s impact: *“Telephone triage has transformed how we handle referrals, letting us act faster and use resources more efficiently while delivering a more responsive service for both patients and GPs.”* Jennifer Aherne added: *“We provide a full cardiac assessment and work closely with the consultant team to arrange investigations, while also supporting patients to manage their heart health long-term.”* The initiative marks a significant step towards improving cardiac care outcomes across the region.
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