In 2002, the Irish Heart Foundation Council on Heart Failure launched a cohesive strategy for the hospital management of heart failure in Ireland,  "From Crisis to Control: A cohesive strategy for hospital management of Heart Failure in Ireland".

The strategy, which is being supported by Cardiologists around the country, has been presented to the Department of Health and Children for their consideration.

The strategy document is based on research that was conducted at St Vincent's and best international practice. The strategy as presented can improve patients quality of life and reduce pressure on hospital beds.

There is an evolving heart failure crisis in Ireland, currently affecting up to 80,000 people. Because of population growth, longevity and disease prevalence the number of Irish people affected by heart failure is set to dramatically increase in the next decade.

The strategy proposed by the council on Heart Failure is based on six guiding principles as follows:

• Hospital admitted patients are at risk
• Re-admissions can be reduced
• The structured approach (being proposed) requires at least a physician with an interst in heart failure and a dedicated heart failure nurse
• Structured care should commence in hospital
• Structured hospital based care should continue as an outpatient for three months
• Structured care should devolve to the community after three months

The Council on Heart Failure believes that 60 dedicated nurses and 12 specialist dieticians operating in reorganised units nationwide can provide the required care to the 12,000 Irish people who admit to hospitals annually with acute heart failure.

The cost-benefits to the Department and the Health Boards are the potential to save money on bed space provision, which will repay the investment required tenfold. It is estimated that up to 110,000 bed days can be saved each year if this approach to heart failure management is adopted.