HSE Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow Community Healthcare (CHO7) and Naas General Hospital officially launched the Sláintecare funded Integrated Respiratory Rapid Response Service for Kildare & West Wicklow.
Catherine Dempsey GM for Primary Care explained that “This new way of working to develop an end to end model of care for individuals who are diagnosed with respiratory disease is an innovative integrated approach between the acute sector and community services, to support General Practice and enhance capacity at primary care level. This integrated collaborative approach will ensure a quality patient centred service leading to better outcomes for this cohort of people who have been diagnosed with Respiratory disease.”
The team includes a Respiratory Clinical Nurse Specialist and two senior Respiratory Physiotherapists. This exciting initiative will bring expert care closer to home for patients diagnosed with respiratory disease in line with the principles of Sláintecare. The first Pulmonary Rehab class took place on 26th August 2020 in the new HSE Primary Care Centre Athy. The team will initiate and develop integrated respiratory care in Kildare West Wicklow with Naas General Hospital in four different venues, Athy, Celbridge, Newbridge and Blessington Primary Care Centres. Referrals to the team can be made by GPs and by the Respiratory Clinicians in Naas General Hospital. The team will provide supported discharge for Chronic Respiratory patients post hospital admission, Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Nurse/Physiotherapist led respiratory clinics for patients with chronic respiratory disease in KWW. In addition, self-management and patient education will be provided for GP clients that are referred to the team.
Brian Kearney, Operations Manager Naas General Hospital said, “ Naas General Hospital is delighted to be involved in this new integrated model of service delivery. This service has the potential to relieve demand on our acute respiratory service, reduce length of stay and promote admission avoidance whilst also supporting a new approach to deliver integrated care in the community for members of the population in Kildare & West Wicklow who have been diagnosed with Respiratory disease”
Mary O’Kelly Head of Primary Care welcomed the launch of this service “With the on-going COVID-19 pandemic and the flu season fast approaching, this service development could not have come at a better time for the people of Kildare & West Wicklow who are living with a respiratory illnesses. A number of health conditions can become worse over the winter months, understanding your illness and how to look after your health is very important. A number of ways the people of can stay well this winter is by getting the flu vaccination from their local GP or pharmacy, attending healthcare appointments, listening to the advice from healthcare professionals, complying with COVID-19 guidelines such as social distancing and wearing a face covering. If a person develops symptoms of COVID-19 they should seek medical advice immediately and restrict their movements.”
