Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to address the House on this issue on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris. I am aware that Deputy Pearse Doherty has some concerns about the resourcing of diabetes care services in the north west. However, he can be assured that this is a matter the Department, the HSE and the Saolta University Health Care Group are addressing through recruitment and the provision of extra resources in the north west.

I understand there is a high demand for the services in the north west due to the elderly population. However, steps are being taken to address this requirement. In Letterkenny University Hospital additional registrar support has been assigned to support the monthly endocrinology clinic. In addition to this extra support, a number of diabetes related posts have been filled in Letterkenny University Hospital. A consultant endocrinologist and a team supported by a consultant physician, with extensive endocrinology experience, have been recruited. Full-time podiatry cover and a clinical nurse specialist have been appointed, in addition to an advanced nurse practitioner in training for the paediatric diabetes service.

Further enhancements are planned to address diabetes care services in the north west. Additional posts have been advertised to be filled in Letterkenny University Hospital. A dietician post is being processed by the national recruitment service for appointment, while recruitment of a consultant endocrinologist, a clinical nurse specialist for paediatric diabetes and to another position in the adult service is ongoing. Diabetes services are also being advanced at Sligo University Hospital. Having raised the issue with the Saolta University Health Care Group, the Department of Health has been informed that the procurement process for the diabetes day unit in Sligo University Hospital is under way and the HSE has advised that construction of the new diabetic centre will take place in 2019.

On diabetes care services for paediatric patients across the group; a paediatric insulin pump service was initiated in May 2015. This service is based in Sligo University Hospital, with outreach clinics in Letterkenny University Hospital. A locum paediatrician is providing the service in counties Sligo and Donegal, with the permanent post to be advertised in the coming months. In Galway University Hospital a paediatrician is due to take up a post shortly. Diabetes care services are not only provided in an acute care setting; GPs also provide a diabetes cycle of care in the north west. In October 2015 a structured diabetes cycle of care was introduced for adult medical card and GP visit card patients with type 2 diabetes. The cycle of care enables qualifying patients who are registered for the service to avail of two annual visits to their GP for a structured review of their condition.

This initiative aims to improve clinical outcomes for patients and reduce complications often experienced with this condition. To date, almost 100,000 patients have been registered nationally for the diabetes cycle of care by their GP.

I am aware of the current situation for diabetic care services in the north west and that the Department of Health is monitoring the situation. The Minister notes that the HSE and the Saolta University Healthcare Group are carrying out a broad range of measures in order to improve diabetic care services across the north west.

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