Bernard Allen
Question:249 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to extend the pilot general practitioner run warfarin service in the Western Health Board area to other health board areas. [21906/00]
Written Answers. - Warfarin Testing System.
Bernard Allen
Question:250 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to fund the expansion of a general practitioner run warfarin service. [21907/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 250 together.
The warfarin testing system pilot which operated in the Western Health Board area is being further evaluated at the moment. In some other areas there are warfarin testing procedures in place at general practice level and these are aided by the purchase of equipment or the collection of blood samples and funded by the primary care units of those particular boards. The extension and development of a general practitioner led warfarin service will be considered in the context of the general review of general practitioner services at present being conducted by the chief executive officers of health boards in conjunction with my Department. I expect the review to be completed shortly.