Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and for setting out clearly the history in this situation, which gives me the opportunity to provide an update to the House in regard to the concerns relating to the paediatric diabetes service at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar.

The HSE has advised that the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, has a comprehensive diabetes and endocrinology service. This is an integral part of the overall services provided by the hospital and is supported by a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, nurse specialists, dieticians and administrative staff. The services include a rapid access diabetes service, a general diabetes clinic, a young adult clinic, a diabetes in pregnancy clinic, a diabetes foot clinic and a community e-consultation service.

We know that diabetes affects people from all walks of life, from the very old to the very young and that the number of people with all types of diabetes is predicted to increase rapidly in the coming years. Internationally, type I diabetes is increasing in all age groups. In Ireland, this is especially true in the 10 to 15 year old age group. In regard to paediatric diabetes services generally, the HSE has developed a model of care for paediatrics and neonatology in Ireland, which includes a chapter on the provision of diabetes services. This model of care highlights that high-quality diabetes care is complex and requires intensive consultant-delivered care. It also recognises that diabetes care should be provided by a multi-disciplinary team that includes clinical nurse specialists, dietetics, social work and clinical psychology.

The HSE has advised that, as highlighted by the Deputy, 130 children and adolescents attend the paediatric diabetes service at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, which consists of a clinical nurse specialist and specialist dieticians. The Deputy might wish to note that the hospital has also recently secured approval for 19-hours per week senior dietetic support. The HSE has further advised that the paediatric diabetes service was suspended temporarily last week pending the successful recruitment of a paediatric diabetes nurse, that prescriptions are still being offered through the service and that if a patient is sick, he or she can be seen through the hospital's emergency department.

The Deputy outlined that the paediatric diabetes nurse position was first advertised in December 2019. However, for a number of reasons the position was not filled on foot of this process. The position was again advertised in autumn 2020. I am advised that interviews for that position were completed recently and that an offer has been made to a successful candidate. It is, therefore, expected that the new paediatric diabetes nurse will take up employment shortly.

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