Chronic Disease Management
A chronic disease is a long-term health condition that needs ongoing treatment and management.
The Structured Chronic Disease Management Programme is for patients who have a medical card, GP Visit card or a Health Amendment Act card and have a specified chronic disease: cardiovascular disease, COPD, asthma and type 2 diabetes.
The Annual chronic disease management prevention programme is for people who have a medical card, GP Visit card or a Health Amendment Act card and have a diagnosis of hypertension or who are at high risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes, and all adults aged 18+ diagnosed with gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia since January 1, 2023.
The prevention programme is designed so that you and your GP can work together on reducing your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes or both.
Structured Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Programme
Programme
What is a Chronic Disease?
A chronic disease is a long-term health condition that requires ongoing care, monitoring, and support. Examples include heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and type 2 diabetes.
About the CDM Programme
The Structured Chronic Disease Management Programme is a free service for patients with a Medical Card or GP Visit Card. It is designed to help patients who have—or are at risk of developing—certain long-term conditions manage their health in partnership with their GP and practice nurse.
Who is Eligible?
You may be eligible if you:
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Hold a Medical Card or GP Visit Card
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Have or are at risk of developing any of the following:
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Cardiovascular disease
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COPD
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Asthma
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Type 2 diabetes
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Programme Goals
This programme focuses on:
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Regularly monitoring your health
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Identifying early warning signs and complications
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Helping you take an active role in managing your condition
Benefits of the Programme
Taking part in the programme can help improve your health and reduce the risk of hospital admissions. Benefits include:
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Two structured reviews per year with your GP and/or practice nurse
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A personalised care plan tailored to your needs, goals, and preferences
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Medicine reviews and advice on your treatment
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Support for self-managing your condition
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Access to education and self-management resources
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Early detection of new or worsening health issues
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Care provided locally in your community
How It Works
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You’ll receive two free reviews each year
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Each review includes:
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A nurse visit (including tests such as blood tests)
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You can still attend your GP for other health needs as normal
What Is a Care Plan?
A care plan is a written guide developed between you and your healthcare team. It outlines:
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Your current condition
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Any concerns or questions you may have
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Health goals and agreed actions between reviews
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Advice and supports available to you
Registering for the Programme
If you are eligible and interested, your GP or practice nurse will help you register for the programme. Participation is voluntary, and you can opt out at any time.
How Your Information Is Used
During your reviews, the GP or nurse will collect key medical details, such as:
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Your name and age
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Diagnosis and medical history
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Symptoms and test results
This information is securely shared with the HSE to help improve national understanding and management of chronic diseases. Your data is protected in line with current data protection regulations, and you can request access to it at any time.
Read the HSE Privacy Statement for the Chronic Disease Management Programme
Have Questions?
If you’d like to learn more or check your eligibility, please speak to your GP or practice nurse. We’re here to support you in managing your health.
This content of this page (and links to other sites) is for general information purposes only and does not substitute medical advice. While we endeavour to keep this website up-to-date, errors may occur. We advise all patients to discuss their health concerns with their GP. If you would like to suggest amendments or highlight new information that could be useful to others please don’t hesitate to get in touch.