The Practitioner Health Matters Programme, launching this September, aims to support and care for dentists and other health professionals who may have a substance misuse problem or mental health issue. Formerly the Sick Doctors Scheme, which supported doctors for over 25 years, the new Programme has been updated to reflect international best practice in practitioner health, and for the first time is also open to dentists and pharmacists. Dr Íde DeLargy, a GP based in Blackrock in Dublin, is Clinical Lead for the new Programme, having been involved with the Sick Doctor Scheme since 2008. She explained the particular issues that affect health practitioners. "Doctors, dentists and pharmacists are very slow to come forward to declare that they might have a problem with mental health issues and alcohol or substance issues. Therefore, what we find is that they present very late and usually in crisis.".....