Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1486. To ask the Minister for Health if the chronic disease management programme allocates dedicated resources, staff and training to the treatment of asthma specifically; if recommendations by an organisation (details supplied) in the reference guide Asthma-Diagnosis, Assessment and Management in General Practice published in November 2020 have been taken into account as part of the provisions for asthma contained in the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63381/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish College of General Practitioners is the professional body for education, training, research and standards in general practice. In addition to its teaching, training and education activities the College regularly produces general practice publications, guidelines and protocols to assist GPs in their everyday work.

The purpose of the “Asthma-Diagnosis, Assessment and Management in General Practice” quick reference guide is to assist healthcare professionals to improve diagnostic accuracy; assess, treat and monitor asthma; develop an asthma management plan for individual patients; optimise asthma control; and manage exacerbations in line with approved protocols. The document is targeted at those delivering asthma care in primary care and those responsible for training these professionals.

Successful asthma management involves guideline-based treatment and regular follow-up. A significant development in general practice has been the introduction of a new Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Programme in 2020. This Programme is being rolled out on a phased basis to adult GMS and GP visit card patients over a 4-year period.

Patients with an existing diagnosis of one of the specified conditions, including asthma, those who are assessed by their GP on an opportunistic case finding basis, as well as those identified as high risk, will benefit under the programme.  In order to support patients in managing their chronic condition(s) there are two scheduled reviews with the GP in a 12-month period, each preceded by a practice nurse visit.  These reviews include patient education, preventative care, medication review, physical examinations, scheduled investigations and individual care planning.

GPs participating in the new CDM programme receive enhanced capitation fees as well as an increased practice nurse subsidy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1487. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline for the implementation to date of the chronic disease management programme across age cohort and conditions covered; if the programme has met its targets to date in terms of key milestones; his plans for the future roll-out of the programme to cohorts and conditions not yet covered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63382/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The initial phase of the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) programme commenced on schedule in 2020 with adult GMS and GP visit card patients aged 75 years and over who have a diagnosis of one or more of the specified chronic diseases: type 2 diabetes, asthma, COPD, or cardiovascular disease.

In July 2020, a modified porgramme to facilitate remote reviews during the COVID-19 pandemic was added and the programme was expanded, ahead of schedule, to include adults aged 70 and over.  Under this modified programme, patients could undertake their reviews either in person or remotely.

In January 2021, the programme was further extended to patients aged 65 years and over. In 2022, the final phase of the treatment programme is being extended to all GMS patients aged 18 years and over. Opportunistic case finding and prevention for those at high risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease will also commence this year.

Notwithstanding the impact of Covid-19, there has been considerable progress in the roll out of the CDM and Modified CDM programme. Targets have been met in terms of key milestones.  Over 90% of eligible GPs are enrolled in the GP Agreement for CDM to date.  In 2020, an estimated 115,000 patients were registered on the programme, and GPs and practice nurses undertook over 126,000 consultations for people aged over 70 years.  Programme data shows that 90% of people with these conditions are being managed solely in general practice for their non communicable diseases.  Between January and October 2021, an estimated additional 59,130 new patients have been registered on the programme with GPs and practice nurses providing over 178,000 consultations for people aged over 65 years during this period. 

There are no plans at present to extend the programme further.