Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2025
179. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Health her plans for the expansion of the Chronic Disease Management Plan to include other conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52185/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. The General Practitioner (GP) Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Programme commenced in 2020 and has been rolled out on a phased basis to adult GMS (Medical Card and GP Visit Card) patients over a 4-year period.
The CDM Programme represents a new approach in Ireland to working with patients to manage their healthcare. It has brought the care for chronic disease further into the community and closer to the patient, and has reduced hospital attendance by patients with one or more of the specified conditions.
The Programme was expanded in 2023 to include women who have had gestational diabetes, and a further expansion of the Programme, to include the addition of chronic kidney disease and a number of other conditions will be rolled out over the coming months.
Expansion of the Programme to include additional conditions would require rigorous clinical assessment and engagement with stakeholders, including the GPs delivering the service. Nonetheless, this could be considered in the future in the context of resource availability.
