Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

The diabetes expert advisory group was established by the Health Service Executive and presented its first report to HSE management in April 2008. The expert advisory group made a number of recommendations relating to, for example, an integrated model of care for diabetes, clinical guidelines, ICT, education and empowerment of patients, retinopathy, podiatry and paediatric services.

The expert advisory group is currently progressing recommendations related to standards and it is hoped to publish these shortly. Clinical guidelines are to be formally launched by the Minister, Deputy Harney, on 16 June 2008.

As regards other recommendations that relate to service provision, the expert advisory group is currently in discussion with the key service deliverers in primary and secondary care to progress an integrated model of care, paediatric services and retinopathy screening. The expert advisory group continues to meet on a monthly basis and localised meetings in the four areas are also being undertaken at present to raise awareness of the work of the expert advisory group.

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