The Department of Health is considering a newly submitted report reviewing Ireland’s diabetes policy and services, this newspaper has learned.
The report was prepared by the diabetes policy and services review steering group. It is now under Departmental review as officials decide on “the next steps”, according to a spokesperson.
The steering group was established in July 2024 by the then Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to evaluate the State’s approach to diabetes care. Its work has been completed, the spokesperson confirmed.
In February, Diabetes Ireland welcomed the inclusion of a national diabetes strategy among the Programme for Government’s priorities.
Speaking shortly prior to receiving the steering group report, Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill told the Dáil she expected it to offer clear recommendations and actions to improve patient outcomes and service delivery.
Separately, as reported by the Medical Independent in March, the HSE has begun appointing a team charged with developing a new national diabetes registry.
The registry will be the first chronic disease data system hosted by the HSE.
Funding has been allocated to establish a team within the HSE. Funded posts include a 0.5 whole-time equivalent clinical lead, a programme manager, a coordinator, an information and communication technology specialist, and a data specialist.
The “key priorities” for the HSE team include agreeing a governance structure for establishment and management of the registry; identifying and liaising with existing data controllers/data sources to build the registry; establishing the prevalence of diabetes in Ireland and generating reports for policymakers, clinicians, and people living with diabetes in Ireland; and improving outcomes.
It is “impossible” to accurately determine the national prevalence of diabetes in the absence of a registry, according to the HSE.
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