Health Services

Tuesday, 24 September 2024

Questions (414)

John McGuinness

Question:

414. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if patients with haemochromatosis that have an ongoing requirement for maintenance treatment to keep their blood iron at the recommended safe level, and who cannot attend the blood donations clinic because they are not suited to the service, will be provided with a care plan; if they will be provided direct access to services when required; if the consultant / hospital carrying out the phlebotomy will continue to care for such patients rather than refer them back to a GP or a blood donor clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37313/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I am advised by the HSE that patients with Hereditary Haemochromatosis (HH) are managed in a variety of ways around the country depending on local availability.

The HSE has undertaken two Model of Care reviews on HH and Therapeutic Phlebotomy for Patients with HH. The diagnosis, treatment and management of patients living with HH is guided by these reviews as well as the Irish College of General Practitioners’ ‘Hereditary Haemochromatosis- Diagnosis and Management from a GP Perspective’ guidance document.

The treatment for the management of HH is regular venesections, which involves the patient having their blood taken and monitoring of bloods. Venesections are typically performed via a wide variety of services in Ireland including GPs, nurse-led clinics within hospitals, in outpatient departments, via private services, or at an IBTS facility. The Department of Health and HSE agree that such services should be provided at the lowest level of complexity that is clinically and operationally feasible.