Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2010
64 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the self-care movement which has considerable political support in the UK and which has the potential to reduce the demand on general practitioners time and give the public more control over their own health; if she will examine the merit of these ideas in an Irish context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20202/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has developed a national policy on chronic disease management. Central to our thinking and to the policy is the understanding of the importance of patients being educated and supported to participate fully in the management of their own conditions. Chronic illness can be managed best in this way. My Department with the HSE also recently developed a policy on service user involvement in the health services. The commitment to enable individuals and their families to contribute to the delivery of their own care is reinforced in this document.
