Ireland’s first dedicated nurse-led post-stroke hypertension clinic has officially opened at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), creating a structured pathway for patients who need ongoing blood-pressure management after a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
The new service was launched by Minister of State for Older People and Housing Kieran O’Donnell on 29 October 2026, coinciding with World Stroke Day. Led by Advanced Nurse Practitioner Nora Cunningham, the clinic is designed to strengthen secondary prevention and help reduce the risk of recurrent stroke.
HSE clinic strengthens post-stroke blood-pressure care
Hypertension is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for stroke and recurrent cardiovascular events. The UHL service will support patients after discharge through education, home-monitoring resources and regular reviews with the hospital stroke team.
The clinic is embedded in UHL’s acute stroke service and operates in line with European hypertension guidelines. Its model includes:
- Personalised advice on blood-pressure management
- Support for monitoring blood pressure at home
- Routine follow-up with specialist stroke staff
- Standardised referral criteria and clinical toolkits
- Rapid escalation pathways where urgent intervention is required
The HSE said the initiative supports the objectives of Ireland’s National Stroke Strategy by helping to standardise follow-up care after hospital treatment.
Why follow-up matters after a stroke or TIA
Leaving hospital is only one stage of recovery. Continued monitoring can help patients and their healthcare teams identify uncontrolled hypertension, review treatment and address other risks associated with a further stroke.
Speaking at the launch, Minister O’Donnell described high blood pressure as a significant and addressable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. He said the new clinic would provide a structured pathway for patients and families across the Mid West.
Dr Catherine Peters, Regional Clinical Director for HSE Mid West, said the service reflects a commitment to innovative, evidence-based healthcare and improved continuity after discharge. HSE Mid West CEO of Acute and Older Person Services Ian Carter also highlighted the value of linking home monitoring with hospital teams and GPs.
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What the post-stroke hypertension clinic provides
Advanced Nurse Practitioner Nora Cunningham said the PoSH Clinic places patients at the centre of stroke prevention by providing timely, personalised support and encouraging people to take an active role in managing their blood pressure.
The clinic also demonstrates how nurse-led care can complement existing hospital and primary-care services. Patients remain connected to specialist teams while their GPs can continue to play an important role in long-term treatment and monitoring.
Prof Ronan Collins, former HSE Clinical Lead for the Stroke Programme, said the initiative gives people who have experienced a stroke or TIA a clearer pathway for blood-pressure management. The service also puts clinical models developed by the Expert Steering Group on Hypertension into practice.
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What happens next for the UHL service?
The clinic is currently described as a beta version, meaning feedback from patients and healthcare professionals will help shape future improvements. Its development may offer useful lessons for other hospitals seeking to strengthen post-discharge stroke prevention across Ireland.
For patients and families, the key message is clear: stroke recovery does not end when hospital care ends. Consistent blood-pressure control, specialist follow-up and communication with GPs can all support safer, longer-term recovery.
Takeaway: The new HSE nurse-led post-stroke hypertension clinic at University Hospital Limerick introduces a more organised approach to secondary prevention and could become a model for improving stroke aftercare nationwide.
Article/Image Courtesy: HSE