Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Martin Kenny for raising this matter. I am aware that he has raised it previously with me on a number of occasions. I understand that a reply has issued to the Deputy from the Minister, Deputy Harris.

Just like the rest of the world, Ireland is experiencing sustained increases in the number of people with diabetes. Currently, there are more than 200,000 people with diabetes in Ireland. People with type 1 diabetes make up 10% of all people with diabetes. Appropriate and timely management of diabetes can reduce the risk of deterioration in health and well-being.

The adult diabetes service in Sligo University Hospital is currently led by a consultant endocrinologist-general physician with her team, including one locum consultant. This service covers a catchment area including Sligo and Leitrim, south Donegal, north Roscommon and west Cavan. The adult diabetes service also includes an insulin pump service.

In addition, there is a pregnancy diabetes service, an inpatient ward-based consultation service, as well as an inpatient and outpatient podiatry service. There is a well-established, integrated multidisciplinary team approach between both the hospital and the community. On a hospital basis, the service is supported by specialist diabetic nurses in the hospital, specialist diabetic nurses in the community, an advanced nurse practitioner working between the hospital and the community and a full range of support staff, both across the acute and community services. There is a well-established shared care approach between the acute and community services including the specialist diabetic nurses and GP practices.

The adult service is complemented by a paediatric diabetes specialist service, which provides a regional insulin pump service for children across the north-west region. Both the adult and paediatric pump service has experienced considerable growth in referrals both from new patients commencing treatment as well as the relocation of patients from national centres.

A general paediatric consultant post was advertised in recent months which will provide for oversight of the insulin pump service in the north west. Interviews are due to be held in early July, following the completion of a shortlisting process in May 2019. That will ensure all new paediatric patients will commence their pump therapy at Sligo University Hospital for patients from Sligo and Donegal.

The development of the diabetes day unit at Sligo University Hospital is proceeding to stage 3 with the tender process now under way following the receipt of a letter of approval in April 2019. It is expected that building works will commence in quarter 3 of 2019, subject to funding approval for construction. The funding of all projects is subject to the availability of capital funding and the progress of other priorities.

The Government is committed to the further development of services for people with diabetes and other chronic conditions. Earlier this year, the Sláintecare Action Plan 2019 was published, which will be a fundamental enabler in the delivery of the Sláintecare vision. Under Sláintecare, integrated care programmes for people living with chronic conditions will also be implemented, as well as plans to expand capacity in GP and community nursing to manage chronic disease.

As part of the action plan, a total of four workshops were held, including one on diabetes. The workshops were attended by a mix of clinical and management stakeholders from the HSE and the Department and will inform future decision-making and service planning.

The Minister, Deputy Harris, is keen to continue to work with Deputy Martin Kenny and he has written to him today. I do not know whether the Deputy has received the letter.

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