Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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2903. To ask the Minister for Health the support that can be offered to general practitioners seeking to support a patient through a community detoxification programme. [39563/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Under the HSE Methadone Treatment Scheme GPs are contracted for the provision of a full range of treatment services of stabilised opioid-dependent persons in their own practice. The HSE reimburses the contracted GP for the service provided, with no charges to patients for treatment. Relevant training is provided to GPs by the ICGP, and clinical guidelines for opioid substitution treatment have been published to support best practice.

Outside of the Methadone Treatment Scheme, GPs can refer patients into the local HSE addiction services where a comprehensive assessment and risk assessment can be completed which will inform the individualised care plan for the person. The psycho-social aspects of that care plan would likely then be led by the addiction service and the detox component within the care plan may be led by the GP. Completing an unsupported detox in the community could pose a serious risk to opioid dependent patients. GPs can also consider other treatment option such as drug stabilisation programmes or referral into residential services.