Vol. 539 No. 3
55 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the growing incidence of diabetes, he plans to introduce targeted diabetes screening as a means of increasing early detection and treatment. [19392/01]
The issue of screening and preventive services generally in respect of a range of conditions, including diabetes, is one which will be considered in the context of the forthcoming review of general practitioner services and primary care. In addition, diabetes will be looked at in the context of the proposed pilot programme for secondary prevention of cardio vascular disease as diabetes is one of the associated risk factors.
A number of initiatives in respect of diabetes are currently being undertaken by the various health boards, including the following:
Eastern Regional Health Authority: the 2001 service plan includes a commitment to review the structure and process of care for adult patients with diabetes mellitus within its area of responsibility. A task force has been established to carry out the review, under the headings mortality; morbidity; prevalence and outcomes, which will detail the burden of illness and service provision within the region. It is anticipated that the report of the group will form the basis of an effective strategy approach to the management of diabetes mellitus.
Midland Health Board: a diabetes project has been in place for three years under which the board has been supporting a number of general practitioners to provide a higher level of care to diabetes suffers in the community and so reduce the incidence of repeat hospital visits. This support includes the services of a community nutritionist and an ophthalmic physician. The board plans to extend the scope of the project to almost one quarter of the general practitioners in the board, by the end of 2001. Other progress has been made in the areas of specially trained diabetes nurses and enhanced awareness by all clinicians.
Mid-Western Health Board: a diabetic register is in the process of being set up which will, over time, provide more accurate data in relation to the incidence and prevalence of diabetes. It is the boards opinion that general practitioners are well placed to screen appropriate patients for diabetes and good practice would indicate screening for diabetes in certain instances, for example, as part of determination of risk factors post myocardial infarction or stroke.
North-Eastern Health Board: passive screening is available for early detection and treatment of diabetes. The acute hospitals have open access to a diabetic centre five days a week and each newly diagnosed patient receives ten hours education on diabetes milletus. Some diabetic nurses provide voluntary screening as an exercise in health promotion. Consultant led diabetic clinics have support staff including non consultant hospital doctors, clinical nurse specialists, chiropodists and dieticians.
