Cardiologist fears (Irish) rehabilitation projects may be target of cutbacks

"There is a risk that cardiac rehabilitation, despite contributing to a major reduction in heart disease in the Irish Republic, may fall victim to financial cutbacks, a leading heart specialist has said. Dr Vincent Maher, president of the Irish Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation and consultant cardiologist at the Adelaide, Meath and National Childrens hospital, Tallaght, said the rehabilitation of patients after heart attack or bypass surgery was one of the great successes of the national cardiovascular strategy. 'However, my fear is that this important initiative will be considered less important than emergency care as health service finances come under pressure,' he told The Irish Times"