Dr. Diarmuid O'Shea:

In conclusion, and as stated by my colleagues, a patient-centred approach is being taken in the design and delivery of care of stroke, heart failure and other chronic diseases with specific focus on care for older persons. Emphasis is on prevention of illness where it is possible. Initiatives that focus on total wellness, such as Healthy Ireland and Making Every Contact Count, are being promoted. In the case of an illness - and Professor McDonald and Dr. Collins have alluded to examples in stroke and heart failure - provision of the right care at the right time by the right person at the most appropriate location in our community is our focus and a common aim. Where a patient is chronically ill, self-management education and support is important. Many people with chronic diseases can manage their condition at home, as Professor McDonald has said, with support from their GPs and primary and community care services and the HSE continues to work towards ensuring these supports are available. A common themes for us all is that given the changing landscape of ageing in Ireland over the next decade, it is important that we have an age attuned and age accommodating society and clearly co-ordinated pathway-driven health and social care services for older people.

The clinical and integrated care programmes show how true collaboration happens when patients, carers, health care professionals and managers from across the care spectrum bring to bear their knowledge, skills and experiences to resolve persistent challenges and tackle common problems together. The benefits of reducing the incidence and impact of chronic diseases are nationally significant, societally and economically as well as individually and personally. They extend far beyond the impact on the health of individuals to our children’s future, the well-being of the communities in which we live and the economic prosperity of our society. This increasing focus on people with chronic disease and the health and social care needs of older people can only be achieved if we all work together politically, medically and clinically with the health care professionals and with people in society.

This concludes the opening statement. Dr. Collins, Professor McDonald and I will endeavour to answer any questions members of the committee may have. I thank the committee for its time.