Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Burke for raising this issue. It is close to my heart, if Members will pardon the pun, because I have haemochromatosis. It is important for me to declare that conflict of interest before we move on. I am delighted that the Senator has raised it. I have worked closely with Margaret Mullett, who is the chairperson of the Irish Haemochromatosis Association. Her husband passed away because too much iron had built up in his blood. Obviously, that was before she became aware of this issue. That is how she ended up getting involved in the association. Her objective is to raise awareness. I hope the raising of this issue by Senator Burke this evening will help Ms Mullett on her journey as she tries to create awareness.

I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Varadkar. Haemochromatosis is a relatively common condition in Ireland. If a person has haemochromatosis, his or her body absorbs too much iron from his or her diet. After it has been diagnosed, it is treated by removing blood regularly to get rid of excess iron. This process is referred to as venesection. Patients with haemochromatosis in Ireland were traditionally treated through their general practitioners or as outpatients in a hospital environment. Under a framework agreement that was signed on 4 June last, the HSE, the Department of Health and the Irish Medical Organisation have commenced substantive talks on a new General Medical Services GP contract. The inclusion of chronic disease management for patients and the provision of mechanisms to ensure patients are treated in the community, where possible, will be prioritised in these discussions. I expect that haemochromatosis services will be considered in this context.

As the treatment for haemochromatosis involves blood removal, and because patients are often well and eligible to be blood donors, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service has developed a haemochromatosis service in recent years.

It has resulted in the cost effective treatment of people with this common disorder. It is provided free of charge to those with haemochromatosis and, in turn, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, IBTS, can use the blood for transfusion.

The IBTS started a programme of treating haemochromatosis patients at its Stillorgan centre in 2007. The centre operates a full care model where the IBTS manages the ongoing care of the haemochromatosis patient while performing the necessary venesections. The patient must attend his or her referring clinician for annual review. A total of 600 patients are now being treated at the Stillorgan centre, which is at full capacity.

In August 2013, the IBTS commenced a second haemochromatosis service at its D'Olier Street blood donation clinic in Dublin. A further service commenced at its Cork centre in January 2014. At both locations, clinical responsibility for the patient remains with the referring clinician, but the IBTS provides an option of a maximum of four venesections per year. In many cases, where these patients meet all of the normal blood donation criteria, they can then become blood donors. I am delighted to inform the Seanad that the IBTS plans to expand its haemochromatosis service further at its Limerick centre. A planning application in this regard is being finalised by the IBTS.

The haemochromatosis service provided by the IBTS is positive for the overall health service. Eligible haemochromatosis patients are provided with a free service and the maintenance of the national blood supply for patients in our health care system is enhanced. Many haemochromatosis patients also have the satisfaction of becoming regular blood donors to the benefit of others. Services for haemochromatosis patients have improved significantly in recent years and I look forward to their further enhancement as current plans come to fruition.