Denis Naughten
Ceist:27 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to develop diabetes services here. [22812/02]
Written Answers. - Diabetes Services.
I recently met a delegation from the Diabetes Federation of Ireland to discuss the national development of diabetes services in Ireland. I intend to meet the federation again in early 2003 to discuss the matter further.
In 2002 the health promotion unit of my Department allocated funding of €50,000 for a diabetic nurse specialist post in the Diabetes Federation of Ireland. This post provides support for people with diabetes in the community, develops national awareness on diabetes, reviews literature and develops detailed direction for early detection and prevention of diabetes. The cardiovascu lar health strategy –"Building Healthier Hearts"– which was launched by the Taoiseach in July 1999 addressed the common aspects of the prevention of all cardiovascular diseases, as well as the identification, treatment and rehabilitation of patients with heart disease. The following overall aims were identified: to reduce the risk factor profile in the general population; to detect those at high risk; to deal effectively with those who have clinical disease and ensure the best survival and quality of life outcome for those who recover from an acute attack. The strategy document contains 211 recommendations and structures are in place at national, regional and local level to support its systematic implementation. A total of €45 million has been allocated to the implementation of the strategy in the first three years and a total of 800 new posts have been created with eight out of ten of these being professional staff.