Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
667. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will give due consideration to setting up a diabetes task force composed of healthcare professionals, researchers and patient advocates for the purposes of developing a ten-year diabetes strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3040/24]
View answerDiabetes is a complex condition that can require management across the entire spectrum of healthcare delivery, including self-management support as well as care delivered through general practice, community specialist care and hospital inpatient specialist care.
The inclusion of diabetes as one of four chronic diseases in respect of which GMS patients receive ongoing, planned care from their GP through the Chronic Disease Management Programme also represents a major step forward in assisting those living with diabetes to manage their condition. As part of the GP Agreement of 2023, agreement was secured to include all women who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia since January 2023 in the CDM Preventative Progamme.
Guidelines for Diabetes prevention and management include the Model of Integrated Care for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes, the Model of Care for the Diabetic Foot (2021) and the National Clinical Guideline for the Management of Adult Type 1 Diabetes. Guidelines are reviewed and amended in line with the most up to date evidence to support best clinical practice and standardisation of care for diabetes patients.
In 2020, the Health Service Executive published The National Framework for the Integrated Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease (2020-2025) which adopted a whole system approach to integrated care for people with Chronic Diseases. It sets out a national framework for an integrated approach to the prevention and management of chronic disease in Ireland over the coming years. This framework was developed in relation to four major chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes. The framework builds on the existing policies and guidelines, with a focus on health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, disease management and rehabilitation services that are coordinated across different healthcare providers and healthcare settings.
I am aware of the needs of the diabetes community and the challenges faced by those living with the condition. Officials in my Department are engaging with the HSE Diabetes clinical team in consideration of the future development of diabetes related services.
