HSE Mid-West's Enhanced Community Care: Improving health outcomes for patients across Ireland

THE HSE Mid-West is making significant progress in improving healthcare for older adults and people with chronic diseases through the Enhanced Community Care (ECC) Programme, a key pillar of
Sláintecare. The programme is bringing services closer to home, reducing hospital admissions and
enhancing patient care.

Key achievements in HSE Mid-West include: A 22% increase in contacts by Community Specialist Teams (CSTs) for Older People, reaching over 19,000 in 2024, 94% of patients discharged home after community-based interventions, 2% required long-term care, with less than 3% needing acute care services and CSTs successfully managed the care of over 700 frail adults, avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions.

Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, said: “I really want people to have access to as much care as possible in their home and in their community. The Enhanced Community Care Programme, a cornerstone of Sláintecare, is transforming patient care by expanding local healthcare services, reducing hospital dependency, and enhancing patient outcomes. This programme shows our commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care that meets the evolving needs of our communities, in our communities."

The impact of ECC in 2024: 133,000 patient contacts by Community Specialist Teams (CSTs) for Older People - 31.5% increase, 81% of patients discharged home after community-based interventions. Only 5% of older people required long-term care, with another 5% needing acute care services, over 7,000 frail adults supported by CSTs for older people avoided unnecessary hospital admissions, 15% reduction in hospital admissions for chronic disease patients (2019-2023), over 645,000 GP-led patient reviews under the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) programme and 900+ virtual clinics held, with 85% reduction in hospital visits for Heart Virtual Clinic patients.

Bernard Gloster, HSE CEO, said: “I am delighted by the progress we have made for our patients
through Enhanced Community Care. By strengthening community teams, reducing reliance on
hospitals, and leveraging digital solutions, we are improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Thank you to our dedicated teams driving this transformation.

READ MORE: Limerick students were lucky to be taught by the late Mr Lynch

"The new specialist teams are improving chronic disease management for heart failure, COPD, asthma, and diabetes. Over 90% of patients attending their GP for structured chronic disease management are now managed solely by their GP, reducing hospital pressures.”

The Mobile X-ray service is benefiting over 600 nursing homes, reducing the need for hospital visits: Over 7,000 patients were x-rayed in 2024 using mobile X-ray services and 95% were treated at home, avoiding hospital transfers.

Enhancing chronic disease management and reducing hospital dependency: 15% reduction in hospital admissions for those with Chronic Disease across 2019-2023, this is in comparison to a 1.3% reduction in all medical admissions.

Over 645,000 patient reviews were completed by General Practitioners (GPs) as part of the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Treatment Programme in General Practice.

The ECC Programme is improving chronic disease care through specialist consultant support: 59 new Integrated Care (IC) Consultants and their acute based teams completed over 117,000 patient contacts in 2024, over 13,000 new patients received care through direct GP referrals and OPD waiting lists and 59% (almost 8,000) were seen from OPD waiting lists, with 11% seen within two weeks.

Over 42,000 people were supported by Alone, a voluntary partner, in facilitating co-ordinated support, visitation support, befriending, age friendly housing technology and community supports.

Commenting on today's publications, Sandra Broderick stated:

“As the Regional Executive Officer for HSE Mid-West, I am proud to witness the transformative impact of the Enhanced Community Care Programme in our region. With more older adults being discharged home following community interventions and significant advancements in chronic disease management, we are truly bringing healthcare services closer to home.

Our efforts in expanding hospital avoidance initiatives, such as the Mobile X-ray service, and the innovative use of digital solutions like video consultations, demonstrate our commitment to reducing hospital dependency and enhancing patient care. These achievements reflect our dedication to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care, aligned with the principles of Sláintecare, and ensuring that the evolving needs of our communities are met with compassion and efficiency."