334. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health what initiatives his Department is taking to assist people with asthma and severe asthma; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42311/24]

The GP Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Programme commenced in 2020 and was rolled out on a phased basis to adult GMS (Medical Card and GP Visit Card) patients over a 4-year period. At present, the chronic conditions included in the programme are Type 2 Diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease and Asthma. In addition to the CDM Treatment programme, patients may be diagnosed with Asthma or another chronic disease under the programme’s Opportunistic Case Finding initiative. Those not diagnosed but who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes are entered into the CDM Preventive Programme.

To support patients in managing their chronic condition(s), under the CDM Treatment Programme, each patient receives two scheduled reviews with the GP in a 12-month period, each preceded by a practice nurse visit. The CDM programme supports care for chronic diseases in the community and aims to reduce hospital attendance by patients with one or more of the specified conditions.

Under the 2023 GP Agreement, GP visit card eligibility was expanded from all children under 6 years of age to all children under 8 years of age and to all those who earn up to the median household income. In addition to the provision of GP services, the now Under 8s GP Contract provides for periodic wellness assessments at ages 2 and 5 and for an Asthma Cycle of Care programme.

The Asthma Cycle of Care programme required GP contract holders to maintain a register of all child patients aged between 2 and 5 years with a confirmed diagnosis of asthma, and to provide services for those patients in accordance with the agreed cycle of care set out within the contract. As part of the 2023 GP Agreement, the annual review provided for under the Asthma Cycle of Care will continue to be provided until the registered child patient has reached 8 years of age.

The Irish College of General Practitioners provides an Asthma reference guide to support GPs. As well as provide guidance for the management of patients with Asthma, the guide provides detailed information for the diagnosis and assessment of Asthma.

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for operational matters relating to service delivery, I have also asked them to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.