Welcome to our newsletter.
We have had a busy start to the year with the publication of two health technology assessments (HTAs). In January, we published a HTA on the addition of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) to the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme. This HTA was undertaken to inform decision-making by the National Screening Advisory Committee. We found that earlier diagnosis and treatment leads to better clinical outcomes for children with SCID, with reduced mortality rates and avoidance of harms.
Last month, we published a HTA on the repatriation of paediatric haematopoietic stem cell transplant (allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)) services to Ireland, which was undertaken following a request from the HSE. It looked at the choice of treatment location for children with certain rare, inherited conditions who require stem cell transplants. We found that repatriation of stem cell transplants to Ireland would reduce the financial, logistical and emotional burden that families face by having to travel to the UK to access treatment.
These HTAs are important contributions in informing decision-making on health policy in Ireland, and we will continue to publish further important HTAs throughout the year.
Through the National Care Experience programme, we will commence the first National End of Life Survey in March. The survey will ask bereaved relatives about the care provided to a loved one in the last days and months of their lives, and the findings will be used to improve services provided in hospitals, hospices, nursing homes and in people’s homes. We will also be publishing the results of the National Maternity Bereavement Survey this year. This is the first survey of its kind in Ireland and the findings will help to provide assurance in care being provided to women and their partners and identify areas for improvement in all maternity hospitals and units.
Our role as the competent authority for regulating medical exposure to ionising radiation in Ireland expanded last month when we began accepting applications for the generic justification of new practices involving medical exposure to ionising radiation. Generic justification considers the overall potential for benefit, as well as the potential for harm of, a new practice, and it is important for patient safety as it aims to safeguard the use of radiation across the healthcare sector.
Also in this issue are details on our commencement of our Digitally Enabled Regulator (DER) programme, an upcoming review of our blended working arrangements and information on our updated policies and procedures in response to the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022, which came into force at the beginning of this year.
As always, our focus is on working to improve health and social care services for people in Ireland and we will continue to do so throughout all our activities in 2023.
Until next time,
Angela Fitzgerald