Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 June 2024
135. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps that he is taking to progress nurse prescribing of opioid substitution therapy; the status of the working group set up to examine this issue; the timeline that he is working towards for introduction of nurse prescribing of opioid substitution therapy; the reason for the delay in progressing this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25814/24]
View answerNurses play an key role in providing treatment interventions to clients with problematic drug use. Their work forms an important element of the addiction services response to the problem of substance use in our society.
HSE Addiction services across the country employ nurses and a comprehensive governance structure for these staff is currently being put in place. This includes the recent appointment of a Director of Nursing for HSE Addiction services.
Nurses also have a key role to play in implementing the six strategic priorities identified in the midterm review of the national drug strategy.
Based on the HSE report on action 2.1.14, of the National Drug Strategy in examining potential mechanisms to increase access to Opioid Substitution Therapies, there is currently no objective need for the introduction of nurse prescribing of OST/OAT.
The focus on Strategic Implementation Group 3 (SIG 3) is to develop integrated care pathways for high-risk drug users to achieve better health outcomes. The HSE Director of Nursing sits on SIG 3 to provide advice on harm reduction responses and integrated pathways for high risk drug users.
I am assured that the contribution of nurses will be kept to the fore in the provision of services for this vulnerable cohort.
