National policies, procedures, protocols, guidelines in development

HSE National Operational Guidelines for General Adult Community Mental Health Teams

This document is an operational guideline designed to support the consistent delivery of General Adult Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) services. It provides practical guidance for day-to-day service delivery, supports implementation of national policy, and offers a framework for self-assessment and continuous improvement, rather than acting as a regulatory or compliance tool.

National Guideline

Assistant National Director, Adult Mental Health, Access and Integration

Email: mentalhealth@hse.ie

Q1 2027

HSE National Operational Guidelines for Adult Approved Centres and Community Residences

• Mental Health Adult Approved Centres and Community Residences

The purpose of this document is to update the existing document (Best Practice Guidance for Mental Health Services) with a focus explicitly towards Adult Approved Centres and Community Residencies. The new guideline reflects the current national mental health policy: Sharing the Vision and will align with relevant HSE policies, guidelines, procedures and protocols and the Mental Health Commission guidance and requirements. This document will support regulatory compliance in line with the Mental Health Act (2001) and its planned expansion of oversight with Community Residences.

National Guideline

National Mental Health, Access & Integration

Email: mentalhealth@hse.ie

Q4 2027

HSE National Procedure on the Insertion, Removal and Management of Indwelling Urinary Catheters in the Public Health Nursing Service

The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidance to registered nurses and registered midwives and health care assistants in the Public Health Nursing Service (PHN) on the appropriate procedures to follow in the insertion, removal and management of indwelling urinary catheters.

National Procedure

Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD) Public Health Nursing

Email: nursing.services@hse.ie

01/03/2027

HSE National Guideline for Caseload Management within the Public Health Nursing Service

The purpose of this guideline is to provide guidance to all Registered Nurses in the Public Health Nursing Service on the management of a caseload (clinical and/or child health). This guideline outlines best practice recommendations on caseload management within the Public Health Nursing service.

This guideline will refer to “caseloads”, which may be a

1. combined caseload (clinical and child health) managed by a Public Health Nurse (PHN)
2. clinical caseload managed by a Community Registered General Nurse (CRGN) or a PHN.

3. child health caseload managed by a PHN.

National Guideline

Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD) Public Health Nursing

Email: nursing.services@hse.ie

01/12/2026

National Guideline on Prevention of Oral Diseases in Adults

The group is tasked with providing expertise, strategic advice and support to scope and design strategies to embed prevention of oral disease effectively within health services in Ireland. The purpose is to develop national guidelines on the prevention of oral diseases in adults, including dental caries (tooth decay), periodontal (gum) diseases, dental trauma, tooth wear and oral cancer. The specific objectives are:

1. To identify and synthesise the best available evidence relating to the main adult oral diseases; including dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral cancer, dental trauma and tooth wear, drawing on scientific research, policy, service documentation and other relevant grey literature.
2. To identify the primary risk factors and protective factors for adult oral health at the individual and population level.
3. To outline evidence-informed approaches for oral disease prevention across the adult population including tailored considerations for groups at increased risk of poor oral health.

National Guideline

HSE National Oral Health Office (NOHO)

Email: nationaloralhealth@hse.ie

30/09/2026

HSE National School Vision Procedure

This procedure provides updated guidance to staff working in the School Health Programme on the approved procedure for school vision screening. The objective is to facilitate the safe and efficient delivery of the school vision screening service in primary schools.

National Procedure

National Healthy Childhood Programme School Vision Screening Development Group

Email: healthy.childhood@hse.ie

Q4 2026

National HSE Clinical Guideline for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)

National recommendations on the diagnosis, treatment and management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis to increase understanding of ME and improve the quality of care for people living with ME, all ages and severities, in community and hospital services.

National Clinical Guideline

ME Clinical Guideline Steering Group. Sponsored by the National Clinical Director Integrated Care / Chief Clinical Officer. Governed through CCO Approval Process (CCO Forum)

Email: lead.integratedcare@hse.ie

Phase 1 (Presentation and Diagnosis) – mid 2026 (TBC),

Phase 2 (Treatment and Management) - TBC.

HSE National Records Management Archival Preservation Policy

HSE preserves historical records of archival value to protect Ireland’s healthcare heritage, provide access to historical information and safeguard individuals’ privacy, while enhancing understanding of Ireland’s social, economic, and healthcare history.

National Policy

HSE Historical Records Management Steering Committee, Culture and Risk Management

Email: cultureandrisk@hse.ie

28/02/2026

HSE National Guideline on the Management of Central Venous Catheter Dysfunction in Home Haemodialysis

This guideline is to provide a standardised approach to the management of central venous catheter (CVC) dysfunction and support those carrying out home haemodialysis to manage the CVC dysfunction and mitigate the need for acute hospital presentation.

National Guideline

National Renal - National Renal Home Therapies Forum
Email: renalhometherapies.uhl@hse.ie Contact: Jacqueline Flavin

TBC

HSE National Policy for Co-production of recovery focussed individual care plans in mental health

As part of the continuing work of the implementation of Sharing the Vision one of our work streams are in the development stages of  creating a national policy for Co-production within Mental Health Services

National Policy

HSE National Office of Mental Health Engagement & Recovery
fiona.mckernan@hse.ie

Q4 2026