9. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the status of the chronic disease Mmnagement programme; the number of patients now enrolled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34666/25]

Sentiment score: 0.03

I am looking at this programme and it seems to be a quiet success story for the HSE. We hear very little about it. The Minister mentioned statistics regarding fewer presentations at emergency departments. That is a very good measure of success. The Minister mentioned some additional conditions that will be brought into it. I think she mentioned hypertension. It would be useful to have that list. I see from the HSE's report that the overall uptake is pretty good but it is probably behind for younger sufferers, mainly because it has not been open to them for as long. Are there plans to promote it or make those patients aware they have this option? It is a very good option for those patients.

Sentiment score: 0.19

16. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Health the progress on increasing the number of GPs and GP practices across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34667/25]

Sentiment score: 0.16

I thank the Minister for her response. There is an assertion out there that GPs are being trained and are then leaving the country. My colleague, Deputy Colm Burke, tells me that is not the case. The turnover of GPs is typically 5% to 6%, which is very low. The Minister has laid out the potential GPs entering the system through the various channels which is really positive. Perhaps the Minister could deal with the assertion they leave as fast as they come in and that they go abroad the minute they qualify. My own Dáilcheantar, Dublin Bay North, is quite mature. We have a particularly difficult issue, in that I am contacted a lot by constituents looking to register with a GP, in particular younger people moving into the area and looking to register with a GP practice but who cannot do so.

Sentiment score: 0.10

I support that, given that there are different models clinicians will want to work under. As the Minister said, not all of them will want to take the risk of setting up a GP practice with everything it entails. The Minister mentioned the chronic disease management programme. That is a classic example of where GPs have helped to make a big difference and it is clear from the HSE's assessment that they have been key in all the outcomes the Minister mentioned earlier. Will the Minister comment on the issue of GPs leaving and whether it is a factor? She may not have that information today. It would be useful if she could share it at some stage so that we can deal with the issue that GPs seem to be leaving. I do not believe it because I know many of them and they are still here.

Sentiment score: 0.16