Chronic disease management roll-out progressing

Software supporting the introduction of the new chronic disease management programme in general practice is up and running in 50 practices and will shortly go live in all practices. 

To date more than 1,000 GPs nationwide have attended information sessions on the programme, demonstrating huge interest among GPs who have broadly welcomed the scheme. 

Speaking to the Medical Independent last week, IMO President Dr Pádraig McGarry explained efforts were underway to iron out all “technical glitches” before the programme was fully rolled out. 

GPs across the country are in the process of signing up to the programme, he said, adding that to date GPs had been “very enthusiastic”. 

The introduction of chronic disease management was part of the GP agreement negotiated by the IMO and Department of Health last year.

The programme will be introduced over a four-year period and benefit around 430,000 adult GMS patients. 

 The first phase of the programme targets patients over 75 years of age and will facilitate 253,500 patients with two GP visits and two practice nurse visits per annum.  

Next year the remaining two components, opportunistic case finding and prevention, will commence.

The chronic diseases included are Type 2 diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular disease. Funding of €80 million has been provided for the rollout.