Long-Term Health & Prevention — Ireland

Long-term health and prevention in Ireland

Chronic conditions — diabetes, hypertension, asthma, depression — and prevention measures (vaccination, screening, lifestyle) account for most of the long-term health load in Ireland. Online consultations are well-suited for stable chronic-disease reviews, prescription renewals, and prevention conversations.

When to seek in-person care

Online consultations are appropriate for stable, well-controlled chronic conditions and routine reviews. Seek in-person assessment for: new chest pain or shortness of breath, significantly worsening symptoms, or anything requiring a physical examination (auscultation, ophthalmoscopy, joint examination). National screening programmes (BowelScreen, BreastCheck, CervicalCheck, Diabetic RetinaScreen) are delivered through the HSE — book directly via HSE Screening Services.

What you'll find in these guides

• Diabetes — type 2 management, HbA1c targets, the place of GLP-1 agonists
• Hypertension — home BP monitoring, lifestyle, medication thresholds
• Cholesterol and cardiovascular risk — statins, when they help
• Vaccination — adult and seasonal vaccines available in Ireland
• Prescription renewal — what's safe to renew online, what needs review

Frequently asked questions

Can I get my long-term medication renewed online?

Yes — for clinically stable patients on routine long-term medication (antihypertensives, statins, oral diabetes medication, asthma inhalers, etc.). The Online Doctor will check the duration since your last review, current control, and any new symptoms. Per Medical Council and ICGP guidance, prescriptions for controlled drugs (sedatives, opioids, ADHD stimulants) generally require in-person assessment.

How often should I have a chronic-disease review?

Per HSE and ICGP guidance, most chronic conditions warrant at least an annual structured review. The Online Doctor can do this where physical examination isn't required, or coordinate with your treating doctor for the parts that are.

What vaccines should I have as an adult in Ireland?

Annual flu vaccine (free for at-risk groups via HSE), COVID-19 boosters as advised, shingles vaccine from age 50, pneumococcal vaccine at age 65 and for high-risk groups. The Online Doctor can advise but most adult vaccines are administered at your local pharmacy or HSE clinic.

Information paraphrases public guidance from HSE.ie, NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries, the Irish College of General Practitioners, and the National Immunisation Office.