Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2016
303. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of discussions taking place on a framework for closed certification and diagnosis coding on certificates and electronic transmission of certificates. [36189/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraClosed certification was launched in September 2015 in agreement with the Irish Medical Organisation and the National Association of GPs who welcomed the guidelines. The closed certification guidelines were developed following a six-month research study carried out by my Department’s Medical Review and Assessment Service in conjunction with a group of GPs. The study demonstrated that participating GPs considered the guidelines helpful in their interactions with patients and that they resulted in better outcomes for patients. The guidelines are not prescriptive. There will, undoubtedly, be individual variations, some patients recovering and returning to work earlier than expected, others later. Ultimately, the clinical judgement of the treating GP should prevail.
My department is involved in a modernisation project of its illness and injury benefit schemes which provided the opportunity to design a new medical certificate for these schemes. Discussions are on-going to agree a list of common conditions and the use of the ICD10 international standard for coding.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that exploratory talks are taking place to examine whether the HSE HealthLink service could be leveraged for the transmission of electronic certificates. A considerable amount of further discussion will be required before any determination is made on a move to this service.
My Department will continue to progress these matters with the relevant stakeholders.
I hope that clarifies the matter for the deputy.
