Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Burke for raising the subject of the model of care for lymphoedema and giving me the opportunity to address the House on the matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris.

Lymphoedema as outlined by Senator Burke is a chronic and progressive swelling of body tissue due to a failure of the lymphatic system. Some of the main risk factors include undergoing extensive surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy and-or being overweight or obese. The prevalence of lymphoedema is expected to increase due to our ageing population and increasing cancer incidence and survival rates.

As Senator Burke may be aware, the HSE established a working group to make recommendations for the development of a national integrated model of care for the prevention, assessment and treatment of lymphoedema in accordance with evidence-based practice. The report of the work group proposed a model of care for a lymphoedema treatment service involving specialist and non-specialist care being provided in a community setting, with links to acute services. It advocates the establishment of an integrated treatment structure between acute and primary care services, including the development of specialist lymphoedema clinics in primary care settings, with in-reach services to acute care as required. In general the model seeks to encompass best practice in prevention and early detection, assessment, treatment and support and education and research. The model of care has been completed by the working group and can be viewed on the HSE website from earlier this week. I am advised that it is in the process of being formally approved by the HSE.

On receipt of confirmation that the model of care has been approved by the HSE, the Department of Health will consider the recommendations which it sets out. The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, is eager for progress to be made on the development of these vital services. In this context, the Minister has instructed the Department of Health to work with the HSE to examine steps which could be taken to facilitate commencement of the implementation of the model of care. Funding allocations for the implementation of the model of care will be considered in line with the HSE's national service plan for 2019. This plan envisages a phased implementation of the model within existing resources.

Officials from the Department of Health and the HSE working group met with representatives of Lymphoedema Ireland last year to discuss lymphoedema services and the development of the model of care. We look forward to further interactions with Lymphoedema Ireland as we work to improve services for lymphoedema patients.

The Minister for Health is determined that progress can be made in 2019 towards improving services for patients with this condition. He is committed to working with the HSE and all stakeholders to ensure that equitable access to high quality lymphoedema services is available to all those in need.