The Prevention Programme (PP) commenced in January 2022 and now applies to the following cohorts of patients:

• Aged 45+ with a GMS/DVC/Health Amendment Act card at high risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes.

• Aged 18+ with a GMS/DVC/Health Amendment Act card diagnosed with hypertension.

• Any adult (including privates) aged 18+ diagnosed with gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia since January 1, 2023.

​

The fee per PP is €83 (+10% superannuation).

​

Patients can be deemed High Risk because they have one of the following:

• QRISK3 ≥ 20%

• Stage 1 hypertension (≥ 140/90) with target organ damage*​​

• Stage 2 hypertension (≥ 160/100)

• Pre-diabetes

• BNP greater than 34 pg/ml or NT pro BNP ≥ 125 pg/ml

​

*Note:  Stage 1 hypertension (≥ 140/90) and no target organ damage does not fit the criteria for this programme. 

​

Eligible patients who are found to be High Risk after an OCF review and require active review of risk factors may be registered on the Prevention Programme (PP). On the PP they will receive one scheduled review annually (minimum interval 9 months - two will be accepted in a 12-month period).

This scheduled review will require two visits, one to the Practice Nurse and one to the GP.

• A review of risk factors in line with the 2019 GP Agreement will be carried out and the self-management Care Plan will be reviewed and additional supports provided and/or referrals made. ​

  • All patients should be given health promotion advice, advice on lifestyle modification and have risk factors and interventions recorded.

  • Patients diagnosed with pre-diabetes should be referred to the Diabetes Prevention Programme for pre-diabetic education.

• Appropriate medical treatment (e.g. for hypertension, smoking cessation, blood lipids) will be reviewed and prescribed and appropriate blood tests carried out.

• All high risk patients should be actively managed and have self-management supported by an annual visit to the practice nurse and a personalised care plan agreed and documented.

A written Care Plan must be issued by the participating GP to the eligible patient following the completion of the PP review.