The Irish College of GPs and other organisations have welcomed the “highly positive” findings of a new report issued by the HSE on the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) programme. The Structured Chronic Disease Management Treatment Programme in General Practice report found that the programme is achieving a “high level of impact” on the health of the population and freeing up capacity in the health service – reaching over 400,000 patients, with 91 per cent of these now receiving routine chronic disease care within the community.
The CDM programme is an essential element of the HSE Enhanced Community Care Programme, linking general practice and community services, and delivering care to patients in the right place at the right time.
The CDM programme has been in operation for five years and this is the third report the HSE has published on its impact and reach within the healthcare system. The latest report illustrates that participants in the CDM programme had 30 per cent fewer emergency department attendances, 26 per cent fewer hospital admissions, and 33 per cent fewer GP out-of-hours visits. Data alsoshow a decrease in unscheduled admissions to hospitals among patients in the programme.
“This GP-led programme has been transformative for eligible patients [those with medical cards or doctor visit cards] living with type 2 diabetes, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma, and cardiovascular illness – and is a very positive step forward for the provision of care outside of hospitals,” said Irish College of GPs’ Medical Director, Dr Diarmuid Quinlan.
“The findings also demonstrate the power of general practice to deliver whole country large population health impacts when appropriately resourced.”
He added that the “success” of the CDM programme stems from a strong sign up by GPs, with 97 per cent providing the service.
Dr Quinlan also highlighted the impact on prevention and early detection. “Since 2020, 51 per cent of new chronic disease diagnoses have been made through GPs in the programme. This prevents the need for more intensive hospital-based treatments – this is transforming people’s health journeys and promoting sustainable healthcare practices.”
The full report can be accessed at: www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/primary/third-chronic-disease-report.pdf.
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