Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this very important issue for discussion. Its importance is emphasised by the fact that it has been raised by the four Opposition Deputies who represent the county. As Deputy Pearse Doherty stated, the Government Deputies from the county support the request we are making. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the Donegal Diabetes Parents Support Group and the Donegal branch of Diabetes Ireland for the work they have done to highlight this issue on a continuous basis. I hope the Minister will be in a position to indicate that a clinical nurse specialist for paediatrics will be appointed to Letterkenny General Hospital because this is the only acceptable solution.

The claim made by the management at the hospital has indicated that an enhanced service is available is not really acceptable, particularly as parents do not know what way the nurse specialist on site will divide his or her time in the context of dealing with adult and paediatric cases. Children from Donegal will be still obliged to travel to Dublin to avail of services.

Mr. Paul Gillespie of the Donegal branch of Diabetes Ireland put it well when he referred to the effects that travel has on children with diabetes. He remarked that one of the problems of travelling with a child with diabetes related to if their blood sugars became a little high since they would be more prone to getting car sick and that they would be four hours from their destination. Also, once they got to Dublin they found the Dublin clinics were jammed out the door and he adverted to the associated difficulties.

The HSE standards indicate that there should be a nurse specialist for every 100 children. We argue that there should be 1.5 posts in Donegal but the Donegal branch is looking for one post to provide a service close to home for the children that need and deserve it.

The diabetes expert advisory group has outlined nine standards for diabetes care. Standard No. 4 states that the provision of diabetes services for children and adolescents should be equitable and fair throughout the country. Equitable and fair treatment is all we are looking for in Donegal and this is something the Minister should be able to deliver.

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