HSE national services and schemes is made up of a number of teams that provide important services and guidance to members of the public.
Enhanced Community Care and Primary Care Contracts
The Enhanced Community Care (ECC) and Primary Care Contracts team is responsible for planning and delivering positive changes to community and primary care services. This includes:
- GP access to community diagnostics
- access to Chronic Disease Management (CDM) programme
- vaccinations for Primary Care contractors
- lymphedema model of care
- community and voluntary supports
ECC and Primary Care Contracts are also responsible for developing contract arrangements with independent contractors so that health services can be provided to the public.
These independent contractors include:
- General Practitioners
- general and clinical Dental Practitioners
- pharmacists
- optometrists, dispensing opticians and ophthalmologists
Environmental Health
The HSE environmental health team protects the public's health by controlling environmental factors that might cause ill health or reduce quality of life.
Our Environmental Health Officers (EHO) work to see that rules relating to public health are being enforced. The areas they cover include, but are not limited to:
- tobacco control
- cosmetic products
- drinking water
- food safety
- sunbed control
- alcohol legislation
- infectious diseases
EU North and South Unit
The HSE's EU North and South Unit works on behalf of the HSE to promote cooperation with health providers in Ireland, both north and south.
This team aims to make sure that health and social care services are more accessible for people living in border regions. It works with other agencies and departments throughout Ireland and Europe to ensure the best care is available to all.
National Ambulance Service
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) is Ireland's pre-hospital emergency and intermediate care provider.
The NAS mission is to serve the needs of patients and the public as part of an integrated health system. They provide high quality and safe services to patients. This care begins from the time an emergency call is received and continues through to the safe treatment, transportation and handover of the patient to the clinical team at the receiving hospital or emergency department.
The NAS responds to over 400,000 calls each year, employs over 2,400 staff across 118 locations and has a fleet of in excess of 620 vehicles. Alongside its partners, the NAS treats 4,800 patients, co-ordinates more than 800 air ambulance calls, completes 600 child and neonatal transfers, and it supports community first responders throughout the country.
National Appeals Service
The national appeals service team reviews decisions on applications for services and entitlements where patients are not happy with the initial outcome of their request.
Their aim is to:
- give quick, impartial services to everyone who appeals a decision
- provide a high standard service to everyone who interacts with the team
National Emergency Management
The national emergency management team helps leadership and management in the HSE to prepare for major emergencies that might happen. They identify and manage risks to the organisation and help to build a plan to cope.
This team also works with other public bodies and government departments around emergency planning and reaction.
Nursing Home Support Scheme
This team that manages the nursing home support scheme organises financial support to help pay for the cost of nursing home care in Ireland. The scheme is also known as the fair deal scheme.
Primary Care Reimbursement Service
The Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) is responsible for making payments to healthcare professionals, like GPs, dentists and pharmacists, for the free or reduced costs services they provide to the public.
When someone visits their GP using a medical card, or when someone is only charged a monthly threshold amount for medicine under the Drugs Payment Scheme, the HSE PRCRS pays the GP and pharmacist on their behalf.
As well as processing and making payments, the PCRS also compiles statistics and trend analyses that are shared with the government, the HSE, and members of the public.