Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2019
76. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the level of respiratory illness affecting Irish persons; the policies he is pursuing to this effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20492/19]
View answerRespiratory disease refers to a wide range of conditions of which there are many underlying contributory factors including genetic factors, early life events, nutritional factors, environmental factors, occupational exposures and smoking . The term respiratory disease includes lung cancer, COPD, asthma, pneumonia, influenza, TB, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, sarcoidosis, obstructive sleep apnoea amongst others.
Inevitably this wide range of acute and chronic respiratory conditions impacts significantly on Ireland’s health care system. It is one of the major health challenges of the 21st century the EU 28. A number of policies and strategies are addressing this.
Healthy Ireland is a government-led initiative aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of everyone living in Ireland. Greater public awareness of signs and symptoms of respiratory disease and the importance of presenting earlier to a primary care physician are crucial for improving quality of life and outcomes and reducing impact on health services. Prevention is a key element of tackling the burden of respiratory diseases and Healthy Ireland encompasses policies that address the many lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk of respiratory disease including smoking cessation, tackling obesity and promoting exercise.
Most people with respiratory disease are cared for in the community by their GP and primary care team. The recent agreement on GP contractual reforms involving my Department, the HSE and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) is an important step towards improving care for these patients. Over 400,000 Medical Card and GP Visit Card patients with chronic illnesses, including respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD will stand to benefit from new and improved chronic disease management programmes.
Significant progress has been made in tackling acute and chronic respiratory diseases through the HSE National Clinical Programmes including the development of models of care, adapting national guidelines, improving integrated care and supporting patient self-care. A recent review of the HSE National Clinical Programmes completed by the Office of Chief Clinical Officer in the HSE has recommended the amalgamation of a number of respiratory disease clinical programmes under one Respiratory National Clinical Programme.
Successive National Cancer Control Strategies over the last 20 years have supported health service providers to prevent cancer, treat cancer, and increase survival and quality of life for those who develop cancer, by converting the knowledge gained through research, surveillance and outcome evaluation into strategies and actions. Specifically the National Cancer Control Programme has published a NCEC endorsed clinical guideline on lung cancer. There are also eight rapid access lung cancer clinics located in each of the Cancer Centres in Ireland.
The reform of our health services, as outlined in Sláintecare is the foundation upon which we will meet the challenges of management of the major chronic diseases including the burden of respiratory disease. This will include continuing to raise awareness and supporting the prevention, early detection and the development of integrated and new models of care across the full spectrum of self-management, primary care and acute hospital services. The Sláintecare Action Plan (2019) has specifically referenced COPD as one of its priorities.
There is no doubt that burden of respiratory diseases on individuals and our population as a whole is a challenge that our health service and indeed all health services across the EU will have to face but I am confident that the policies that we are pursuing will lead to significant population health improvements.
