Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
599. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish a diabetes taskforce to develop a National Diabetes Strategy; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17481/24]
View answer601. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health when he will set up a Diabetes Taskforce of relevant stakeholders to develop a National Diabetes Strategy that will ensure the provision of optimum care to every person with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17483/24]
View answer629. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to set up a diabetes taskforce of relevant stakeholders to develop a national diabetes strategy that will ensure the provision of optimum care to every person with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17695/24]
View answer631. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if a “Diabetes Taskforce” of relevant stakeholders will be set up to develop a National Diabetes Strategy that will ensure the provision of optimum care to every person with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17731/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 599, 601, 629 and 631 together.
Diabetes 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.
As part of Budget 2023, funding was allocated to implement a number of initiatives aimed at improving diabetes care. This includes the commencement of the development of a National Diabetes Registry, the commencement of a National Paediatric Audit of Type 1 Diabetes, and two further initiatives related to gestational diabetes.
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 Programme. Access to this service commenced in November 2023.
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), the National Clinical Guideline for the Management of Adult Type 1 Diabetes and Diabetes in Pregnancy: A Model of Care for Ireland (2024). 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 engaged with the HSE Diabetes clinical team in consideration of the future development of diabetes related services.
