Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I know he is doing a lot of work as an advocate to highlight this matter. COPD, formerly known as emphysema or bronchitis, has a considerable impact on the quality of life of patients, families and carers. The course of the disease involves ongoing medical care and, in the case of certain patients, frequent hospital admissions.

It is estimated that 400,000 people live with COPD in Ireland, but only about 100,000 have been diagnosed. It is extraordinary to think that as many as three quarters of people with COPD are displaying symptoms but have not been diagnosed and, therefore, are not being treated or are not being treated optimally. Roughly 1,500 patients die every year as a result of COPD and the disease results in approximately 15,000 hospital admissions.

The COPD model of care was developed by the HSE in 2019 and it redefined the way health services are provided to people with the disease. The national clinical programme for respiratory medicine launched the guideline for the management to COPD in November last year. Through the implementation of these guidelines, the health service ensures the right care is delivered to people with COPD at the right time and in the right place in line with Sláintecare. The chronic disease management, CDM, programme provides a structured management programme for people who have one or more specific chronic diseases, of which COPD is one. The programme commenced in 2020 and is provided to all adult general medical services, GMS, patients.

Through the CDM contract, GPs are funded to provide structured reviews and interventions in line with the model of care. As of 1 October this year, 43,000 GMS patients received planned care from their GP in the community. The model of care also provides a continuum of patient-centred, specialist respiratory integrated care across both community-based ambulatory care hubs and their associated hospital. Through the enhanced community care programme, funding was secured for 30 ambulatory care hub-based specialist respiratory teams, consisting of 295 staff and approximately 100 dedicated pulmonary respiratory rehabilitation providers. A roll-out of these services has commenced in many areas and recruitment is under way to fill the remaining posts. These teams include dedicated specialist physios and nurses, who provide a comprehensive intervention with patient assessment and tailored therapies, including exercise, training, education and self-management.

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