Irish College of GPs launches Position Statement on Transitional Care and Patient Safety, and four GP updates on the detection, assessment, and management of some of the most common diseases.
The Irish College of GPs is the professional body for general practice in Ireland. The College is the representative organisation for education, training, and standards in general practice, with 4,600 members and associates comprising over 85% of practicing GPs in the Republic of Ireland and 1292 GPs in training.
At an event at the College’s headquarters in 15 Hogan Place, Dublin 2, today (Wednesday, 19 November), Medical Director Dr Diarmuid Quinlan launched a series of GP updates on
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Paediatric Sepsis
- Atrial Fibrillation
These updates provide GPs with detection, assessment and management of these diseases.
Furthermore, the College launched its Position Statement on Transitional Care and Patient Safety, which highlights the importance of safe and coordinated
handover when patients move between primary and secondary care.
The Medical Director of the Irish College of GPs, Dr Diarmuid Quinlan, said: “These updates represent an important resource for GPs managing these
diseases and conditions, and they will be available to all our members via the College’s website. Our GP Clinical Leads in these specialities have produced
valuable aids for GPs to detect, assess and manage these diseases. Thanks to the Chronic Disease Management programme, GPs independently manage over 90% of these common conditions, such as COPD and Type 2 Diabetes, without the need for patients to attend hospital OPD. These updates are invaluable aids to
support GPs in providing this patient care.”
Dr Suzanne Kelly, Deputy Medical Director of the Irish College of GPs, said: “The Position Statement on Transitional Care and Patient Safety focuses on promoting patient safety at the primary-secondary care interface. This outlines principles to support clearer accountability, stronger information flow, and continuity of care throughout the health system. It builds on the Medical Council’s most recent ethical framework guideline. The aim is to help ensure every patient in Ireland experiences safe, coordinated and continuous care when moving between hospital and the community (or ‘at the primary-secondary care interface’).”
The General Practice Update on
- Paediatric Sepsis is a practical, accessible resource to support sepsis-aware consultations when GPs assess acutely ill children.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) provides a practical tool for GPs to effectively support and optimise the care of their patients with COPD
- Type 2 Diabetes helps enable early diagnosis and optimal management, with individualised treatment targets, and ensuring medication safety.
- Atrial Fibrillation (AF) gives practical advice on accurate diagnosis and management. AF is a leading cause of severe stroke and is increasing due to an ageing population
The Irish College of GPs acknowledges the support of the HSE and our hospital colleagues in developing and implementing these GP updates to enhance the care of patients.
ISSUED BY: Aileen O’Meara, Communications Consultant, Irish College of GPs.
Tel. 01 2542984 / 087 2239830
PLEASE NOTE: Media queries on the day of the launch should be directed to Aileen’s colleague, Ronan Cavanagh. Email: ronan@cavanaghcommunications.ie. Tel. 086 3179731
Photos available from David Coleman, Bobbys Studios, Tel. 087 6787899.