Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
HEALTH MINISTER STEPHEN Donnelly has announced plans to enable pharmacists to extend the validity of prescriptions from the current maximum period of six months to 12 months.
The Department of Health said the measure, which will take effect from 1 March 2024, is a move that “will improve patient care and access”.
The Department adds that the new measure will also reduce the need for GP appointments for many patients by ensuring that those who are stable on medication can avail of an extension of their prescription to a maximum 12 months, if a pharmacist considers it safe to do so.
For patients on stable medication, from March 2024, they will be able to receive prescriptions with a validity of up to 12 months, at the discretion of the prescriber.
If a shorter prescription is provided, the patient can attend their pharmacist for an assessment as to whether an extension, up to a maximum period of twelve months, is clinically suitable.
All prescriptions will have a validity of 12 months, with some exceptions, and all prescribers will be able to avail of this to the benefit of patients, if they deem it clinically appropriate.
It follows Minister Donnelly’s acceptance of the first recommendation of the Expert Taskforce which is examining the possible expansion of the role of pharmacists.
This Expert Taskforce is made up of 13 experts with experience in pharmacy education and practice, healthcare policy and delivery, and other related disciplines.
It is identifying ways of enhancing the delivery of patient-centred care and facilitating ease of access to healthcare for patients in line with the vision of Sláintecare.
Its first report was delivered to Minister Donnelly this week and the Department said the lead-in time to 1 March 2024 will allow time for the completion of the necessary legislative changes and for regulatory and clinical guidance, as well as educational support, to be put in place.
Speaking today, Minister Donnelly said the move “will reduce the demand on GP practices while giving pharmacists enhanced scope of practice that ultimately benefits the patient”.
Donnelly added that he is looking forward to “receiving additional recommendations from the Expert Taskforce to further facilitate pharmacists in expanding their scope of practice”.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
With only nine per cent of the street lamps being ornate, it means that DCC really don’t care about the finishing touches to or streets. Example: Stephen’s green along the Loretto stretch has fantastic architecture, but shitty looking Motorway style street lights. This is lazy and careless planning. Why not take the ornate lampposts from in front of the office blocks on Earlsfort terrace and put them on the Green, or if that’s too expensive, then get replica lamp posts for that stretch of street.
Street furniture in our key streets really should be looked at in more detail. Finishing touches to or streets, if done right can make residents feel better about their city.
What about the five lamps ?.
@itzme: go hang your bollocks on them !
@Ian Holmes: he he. Was waiting for that.
Looks lovely, clean up Dublin though and then I’ll go have a look, brought my kids into town to see the crimbo lights, two drunks kicked head off each other on packed Luas then saw a junkie on ground blood everywhere, her boyfriend saying sorry her shouting f/off, after 10 minutes my 10 year old with tears in her eyes asked why we have to see that just to see some lights, got a taxi home, never ever again
@Jeni Moriarty: never a story about Dublin without junkies blah blah blah.this is a story about street lamps and you have to shoehorn in the usual ‘i was in Dublin recently’ nonsense.
Loads of the old ones have been replaced, and been replaced badly when they could easily have been preserved. This article is mishearing. The corporation’s efforts to salvage and promote this little bit of Dublin character is pathetic as usual. There is a nice display of various old ones in Merrion square that look original.
That one on Fr Matthew Square is a real gem
Most of us genuine Dubs have pissed up against at least one of them
The one with the overhead tram cables hanging of them are lovely.
Have any of them been repainted in the past 5 years?
Last time I walked around the Customs house, the lamp standards were a mucky disgrace, & as for Bus Arus, the one time architectural gem has declined into a slum like appearance.
Don’t know who in the octopus of state bodies is responsible, but it seems nonsensical to spend tax money promoting tourism, when simple maintenance is neglected.
have your say