Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Health
Period
1 May, 2016 to 31 Aug, 2016
Specific Details
Submission to the Oireachtas Future of Healthcare Committee
Intended results
The resourcing of a strategically planned, long-term, well-resourced, and sustained national campaign to educate the public about prevention and early detection of skin cancer.
The placing of a duty of care on local authorities, schools management, recreation / sporting club management and employers to protect the public, children and employees from UV damage.
The banning sunbeds, completely, for public and private use.
The reduction out-of-pocket expenses paid by dermatology patients for moisturisers, emollients, bandages, dressings, specialist clothing and sunscreens by eliminating VAT.
Expansion of the very limited choice of products available via medical card & DPS for preventing, treating & managing skin disease. One in 5 children and 1 in 12 adults suffer with eczema. Regular application of over-the-counter medical moisturisers is the cornerstone of treatment for the condition. A combination of barriers make dozens of products expensive for patients. These barriers limit choice, hamper self-management, lead to lower treatment adherence and higher healthcare utilisation.
Provision of sunscreens on prescription to patient groups at particular risk of sun damage and skin cancer (e.g. immunosuppressed patients, such as transplant recipients).
To secure resourcing for improved dermatology training for all GPs, to provide universal access to the widest range of dermatology care to all patients in Ireland.
That policy makers examine options which would provide a broader range of dermatology care in primary care, in consultation with patients, all healthcare professional representative bodies and other stakeholders.
Secure increased funding for secondary care dermatology services. This should include, but not be limited to, an increase in consultant dermatologist numbers, greater investment in the infrastructure, equipment, specialist nursing and support staffing in dermatology departments.
The provision of sustained investment in consultant dermatology posts (to increase numbers of consultant dermatologists from 46 to 74, i.e. from 1 per 100,000 population, to 1 post per 62,500), dermatology clinical nurse specialists and advanced nurse practitioner roles, along with the necessary administrative support.
To ensure medical, nursing and GP training (undergraduate and postgraduate) in dermatology is sufficient so that doctors have a basic knowledge in dermatology for common and important diagnoses. Basic nurse and pharmacist training must include dermatology and those specialising in dermatology should have easy access to post-qualification training in Ireland. This will widen the pool of clinicians with some dermatology expertise and allow earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
David McMahon
Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?)
No
Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign?
No
Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client?
No
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Designated public officials lobbied
The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them.
As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.
Mick Barry
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
John Brassil
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
James Browne
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Pat Buckley
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Joan Collins
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Jim Daly
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Michael Harty
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Billy Kelleher
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Alan Kelly
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Josepha Madigan
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Hildegarde Naughton
Senator (Seanad)
Kate O'Connell
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Louise O'Reilly
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Róisín Shortall
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)