Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 February 2024
297. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health in view of the extreme pressures that GPs are under at the moment, what further services pharmacists can be allowed to provide to alleviate the pressure on GP practices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6689/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the deputy for their question. GPs are an important part of primary care, and the Department has taken a number of steps to improve access and care provided by GP services. Training for GPs has expanded in the last number of years. The number of GP training places will increase to 350 in July 2024 which will see a total of 1,300 trainees undertaking the programme. This capacity increase is necessary to maintain the health and well-being of our population.
Community pharmacists are another crucial part of our healthcare service, and they carry out a number of essential services such as the safe supply of prescription medication, safe supply of medicines and treatments that you don't need a prescription for, advice on common conditions, help with taking medicines correctly, supply of emergency contraception, blood pressure check-ups and vaccinations.
Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals, and their role can be expanded to alleviate the pressure on GP practices. On 24th July 2023, I established an Expert Task force to support the expansion of the role of pharmacists in Ireland. The remit of the Task force is to identify and support the delivery of specific objectives, which will serve to align services and practices that can be delivered by pharmacists, and pharmacies, with the needs of the health service and patient.
I accepted the first recommendation from the Task force at the end of October. The new measure, which will take effect from 1 March 2024, will allow prescribers to write prescriptions with a maximum validity of 12 months if they so wish. Work is ongoing within the Department to finalise the steps needed to ensure that this is implemented into practice for prescribers and pharmacists.
The Expert Task force for Pharmacy are currently working on Phase 2 of their terms of reference - Empowering Pharmacists to Prescribe within their scope of Practice. It is expected they will make further recommendations in the coming months. Any recommendations the Task force make will aim to improve access for patients in a safe, person-centred way.
