Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to focus on the pathfinder programme. The service was developed in Beaumont hospital but has been rolled out throughout the country. Pathfinder is the geriatric element of that. I am told that one of the areas it is specifically looking at is the medication being taken by the over-75s. I ask the witnesses to expand on that. I accept it makes sense to review this every so often. We know that different medications have different side-effects, particularly as people get older. This is a very positive element of the roll-out of the programme. I ask the witnesses to illuminate the committee as to what it involves. It not only has a positive impact on people's health, but there is also a financial element to people not taking medication. I think the overall approach is right. It probably should be done regardless.

People may be presenting at accident and emergency departments. There needs to be greater focus on this area. We all know the stories. I spoke to someone who spent 30 years on the same medication. I know of a woman in her 90s who was taking aspirin for over 20 years. That must have an impact on someone. There are others who might be taking medication that might interfere with, for example, blood pressure. There is also the impact of taking different prescription medications together. What exactly is involved in that?