Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 February 2014
229. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date on the national diabetes programme; if he will set out his plans and timelines for its full implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8541/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Integrated Care Diabetes Programme aims to improve patient access and manage patient care in an integrated manner across service settings, resulting in better outcomes, enhanced clinical decision making and the most effective use of resources. In particular, the Programme proposes to change the way care is delivered to people with Type 2 Diabetes and to support a National Model of Integrated Care. The Model, which is evidence based and clinically acceptable, is the result of an extensive consultation process and agreed by the relevant stakeholders. The aim is to facilitate the structured care of patients with uncomplicated Type 2 Diabetes in the Primary Care setting only while patients with complicated Type 2 Diabetes will be managed by primary and secondary care services.
The Diabetic Retinopathy screening and treatment initiative commenced in 2013 and was successful in inviting 30% of registered patients with diabetes for screening, as planned. In 2014, it is proposed to screen the remaining 70% of the diabetic population, as set out in the HSE's National Service Plan 2014. This screening is being carried out through the National Cancer Control Programme Office.
A National Model of Care for Type 2 Diabetes has been developed with the joint involvement of health care providers in primary, secondary and tertiary care sectors. The focus of the Model is the concept of "Integrated Care", where all health care providers come together to communicate effectively and coherently to manage a person with Type 2 Diabetes.
In summary, the Model recommends that:
- People with uncomplicated Type 2 Diabetes will be under the governance of their General Practitioner (GP), with the support of a multidisciplinary community based team and have a clearly defined pathway of care, and will be seen three times a year in a primary care setting.
- People with complicated Type 2 Diabetes will be under the governance of both their GP and a consultant endocrinologist in a secondary or tertiary care setting.
- People with Type 1 Diabetes or complex genetic or secondary causes of diabetes will have their diabetes related care under the governance of the consultant-led diabetes multidisciplinary team in a secondary or tertiary care setting.
As part of the phased roll out of the National Integrated Care Diabetes Programme and to support the Model of Care, the Government approved funding for the appointment of 17 Integrated Care Diabetes Nurse Specialists (one per HSE Integrated Service Area). These Diabetes Nurse Specialists will play a key role in the development of clinically sound collaborative links between primary care and secondary care providers and will also be an essential resource in empowering patients to achieve optimum diabetes control. To date, 16 of these posts have been filled or have start dates agreed and the remaining post will be filled as soon as possible in 2014.
