Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if and when it is planned to introduce extra chronic illness and preventive programmes similar to heart watch, at primary care level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25914/10]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Changing Cardiovascular Health: National Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010-19, which I launched earlier this month is consistent with previous policy on chronic disease, Tackling Chronic Disease. The new policy recommends new clinical prevention guidelines for GPs and that these should be incorporated into structured prevention programmes in primary care, from within existing resources. It envisages that these prevention activities may form the basis of the cardiovascular element of any future GMS contract agreement. However, other means by which they can be advanced will be explored such as developing them as part of the emerging primary care teams (which would facilitate the required broader multi-disciplinary approach) using the resources currently deployed in the Heartwatch Programme.

In line with the Government's policy document Primary Care, A New Direction, the Health Service Executive is refocusing its services to give people direct access in the community to multi-disciplinary primary care teams including general practitioners, nurses, health care assistants, home helps, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. This is designed to maintain people in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, decrease hospital attendances and facilitate early hospital discharge and supported care at home. Intervention in and management of chronic disease is particularly suited to this approach and involves the primary care teams and the hospital sector working closely together. The HSE has identified 530 Primary Care Teams and 134 Health and Social Care Networks to be deployed by 2011. Up to the end of March 2010, 236 teams were operational.