National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services in Ireland
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From: Department of Health
- Published on: 8 April 2025
- Last updated on: 9 June 2025
- Introduction
- Steering Group Membership
- Steering Group members as at NRCS completion
- Former Steering Group Members of the NRCS
- National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services in Ireland
- Further Information
Introduction
The Steering Group for the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services was chaired by Professor Philip Nolan.
The aim of the review was to examine the evidence to arrive at a series of recommendations that would support services delivering optimal patient outcomes. It had a particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive.
In terms of scope, the National Review will cover scheduled and unscheduled hospital-based services for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac disease in adults.
The National Review will conduct its business by:
- Generating key questions on which rigorous systematic reviews of the evidence was undertaken using internationally recognised methodology
- Consulting with the public and relevant stakeholders – including a call for submissions
- Identifying international best practice
- Carrying out a number of site visits
- Analysing data on existing services and populations
In addition, an International Reference Panel comprised of international experts was formed to provide an independent peer review. These measures, taken with the relevant professional and patient input, were designed to ensure that the National Review was comprehensive and of the highest quality standard.
Read more in the Steering Group's Modus Operandi, Conflict of Interest Policy and Terms of Reference.
Steering Group Membership
The Steering Group is comprised of 15 members (in addition to the Chair), consisting of patients, relevant health professionals, senior HSE management and senior departmental officials. Collectively, the Group has expertise in clinical provision, service management, service policy, clinical effectiveness and patient safety, public health and patient experience.
Steering Group members as at NRCS completion
| Member | Position | Nominating Organisation |
| Philip Nolan | Chair, National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services | |
| Ivan Casserley | Consultant Cardiologist, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital | Health Service Executive |
| James Crowley | President, Irish Cardiac Society | Irish Cardiac Society |
| Sharon Donohue | Cardiac Physiologist, St. Vincent's University Hospital | Irish Institute of Clinical Measurement Science |
| Desmond Hickey | Deputy Chief Medical Officer | Department of Health |
| Macartan Hughes | Chief Ambulance Officer, Education & Competency Assurance (From March 2018) | National Ambulance Service |
| Patricia Kearney | Professor of Epidemiology & Public Health | Royal College of Physicians in Ireland |
| Brendan McAdam | Consultant Cardiologist, Beaumont Hospital | Royal College of Physicians in Ireland |
| Jim McCarthy | Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital | Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland |
| Ken McDonald | Clinical Lead, Heart Failure Programme | Health Service Executive |
| Geraldine McMahon | Consultant, St James' Hospital | Irish Association of Emergency Medicine |
| Lucinda McNerney | Member of Sudden Cardiac Death Council | Irish Heart Foundation |
| Pat Nash | Clinical Director, Saolta | Health Service Executive |
| Claire O’Brien | Clinical Director, University Hospital Kerry | Health Service Executive |
| Helen Shortt | Assistant National Director, Specialist Acute Services - Acute Strategy & Planning | Health Service Executive |
| Mary Vasseghi | Member of Sudden Cardiac Death Council | Patient Representative Irish Heart Foundation |
Former Steering Group Members of the NRCS
| Member | Position | Nominating Organisation |
| Kieran Daly | Clinical Lead, Acute Coronary Syndrome Programme (From March 2018-February 2019) | Health Service Executive |
| Dr Alan Smith | Deputy Chief Medical Officer | Department of Health |
| Sinéad Donohue | Deputy Chief Medical Officer, DoH (To January 2019) | Department of Health |
| Colm Henry | National Clinical Advisor for Acute Hospitals (To June 2018) | Health Service Executive |
| Kathleen Mac Lellan | Director, National Patient Safety Office, DoH (To September 2018) | Department of Health |
| Frank McFall | Cardiac Transplant Patient (To February 2019) | Irish Heart Foundation |
| Peter Wright | Director of Public Health, North-West (To February 2019) | Royal College of Physicians in Ireland |
| Tanya King | Former Director of Nursing, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health | Irish Association of Directors of Nursing and Midwifery |
| Marita Kinsella | Director, National Patient Safety Office, DoH (To February 2022) | Department of Health |
| Celeste O'Callaghan | Principal Officer, Policy on Acute Hospitals, DoH (To June 2022) | Department of Health |
National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services in Ireland
Further Information
Further Information on the process/consultation elements of the National Review of Adult Specialist Cardiac Services in Ireland up to 2019 can be found here.