Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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176. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the recommendations of the Asthma Society of Ireland in their recently published objectives entitled The Case for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11058/14]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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My colleague, James Reilly TD, Minister for Health was pleased to be able to launch the Asthma Society of Ireland's (ASI) report, "The Case for Change", last Thursday. It is widely accepted that there is a need to move from the practice of unnecessary hospital admissions for chronic asthma. However, proposals for additional resources must be considered by the HSE in the context of the service planning process and by the Department in the context of the annual estimates process.

The HSE, through its Clinical Strategy and Programmes Division, established the National Clinical Programme for Asthma (NCPA), which is one of a number of chronic disease programmes aimed at bringing a systematic approach to changes in how services for patients are delivered.

The overarching aim of the NCPA is to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with asthma in Ireland and to improve clinical outcomes and the quality of life of all patients with asthma. A key component is the improved management of people with asthma in primary care, thereby, avoiding emergency attendance at General Practitioner (GP) out-of-hours services, at hospital emergency departments and in-patient admission services.

The development of the Programme has been influenced by international evidence of the effectiveness of asthma management, with significantly improved outcomes focusing on improving asthma control in the community.

The initial work of the National Clinical Programme for Asthma has been on the development of national asthma guidelines based on international best practice, early asthma diagnosis, active asthma treatment, guided self-management and patient education.

The Programme has also developed a National Model of Care for Asthma, which details how physicians, nurses and other health professionals will work with engaged patients to make the clinical decisions most appropriate to their circumstances; and to collaborate with specialist colleagues in providing a safe, seamless patient experience within the health system in Ireland.

The National Clinical Programme for Asthma is listed in the HSE’s Primary Care Divisional Operational Plan for 2014 and work is underway on an implementation plan for the Model of Care.

The work of the Programme will ensure that patients with asthma will benefit from being part of a well-managed integrated system of care, coordinated at primary care level.

The Programme for Government provides for the introduction of a new GMS contract with GPs, with an increased emphasis on management of chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. It is envisaged that the new contract, when finalised, will focus on prevention and will include a requirement for GPs to provide care as part of integrated multidisciplinary Primary Care Teams. These aspects are similarly reflected in the draft contract to underpin the provision of GP care, free at the point of use, for all children under six years of age, which is currently under consideration as part of a public consultation process.