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10 July 2017
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Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, launches 'Audit Report of the Midland Diabetes Structured Care Programme' 

New report shows how major savings can be achieved in management of diabetes by general practitioners.

Medical complications from Type 2 diabetes reduced by over 80 % in patients on structured programme.

The Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, launched on Monday 10 July the Audit Report of the Midland Diabetes Structured Care Programme, the longest running programme in the management of diabetes patients in the State, begun in 1998.

The Audit, involving over 3,700 patients in 30 general practices across Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly, has led to significant improvements in the health of patients with diabetes, whose conditions were pro-actively managed through four GP visits per year.

Practices followed a structured approach encompassing patient registration, recall and regular review, with the provision of protected time and commitment to following a standard care protocol.

Minister for Health Mr Simon Harris TD; Dr Velma Harkins, GP Lead, Diabetes Structured Care Programme; Dr John Gillman, ICGP Chair; Mr Fintan Foy, ICGP CEO


"The results have been very encouraging," said Dr Velma Harkins, GP Lead for the Midland Diabetes Structured Care Programme."We saw an 80% reduction in eye, kidney and feet complications in patients with type 2 diabetes, and a 94% reduction in heart-related complications between 2003 and 2016. We also held patients' BMI stable. The programme serves as an example of what can be achieved through pro-active primary-care led management. Instead of episodic unstructured care. This approach delivers real results."

The dramatic increase in the number of people with type 2 diabetes presents significant challenges to the health services. If not well managed, this type of diabetes can lead to debilitating conditions including visual impairment and blindness, lower limb amputations, kidney failure and heart disease. 

Dr Velma Harkins speaking on RTE's Six One News (10 July 2017)


Type 2 diabetes, linked to obesity, is forecast to increase by up to 62% by 2020. Currently, there are over 200,000 people with diabetes in Ireland.

The Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, said "The Midlands Structured Care Programme for Diabetes demonstrates a model of care that has proven to be extremely effective in meeting the needs of people with diabetes in the Midlands region. Our ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, pose a major challenge to our health service. Because we are dealing with diseases that require ongoing management, we now need a far greater emphasis on continuous care, as opposed to the traditional episodic care provision. Patients need to have access to safe and clinically effective treatments early, as close to their home as possible and at the lowest level of complexity. " Dr John Gillman, ICGP Chairman, said, "This audit is a significant piece of research. It shows how a primary care-led model of care can perform over time, and also how it can be delivered effectively on a national level, including as part of the Integrated Care Programme in Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease."

Click here for photos of the launch

Access the report

Click here for 'Audit Report of the Midland Diabetes Structured Care Programme'.

Media queries

Aileen O'Meara
Communications Consultant
Irish College of General Practitioners
Email: media@icgp.ie
Tel: 087 2239830 / 01 5175311