Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

That information from the HSE, which is the kind of information that it has been giving us for the last nine months, is cold comfort to the patients who are waiting. They are living with a life-altering illness and need access to the services and support to which they are entitled, in keeping with other patients attending other hospitals around the country. I will quote one of the many patients who has contacted my office seeking help:

I feel, as a patient, that the HSE is letting us diabetics down as they are not providing us with the services which are very important to us to live as normal a life as possible and to avoid long-term complications. UHL is a regional hospital that covers Limerick, Clare and Tipperary, and over 20,000 diabetics live within these counties. It is a disgrace that we are being left behind, compared to similar sized hospitals that offer services to diabetics. I have to go to a private hospital to access services that UHL is not providing. I should not have to do this.

For those who cannot afford to access private services, what is the solution? As a medical doctor, the Tánaiste will be aware that diabetes, if not managed properly, is a serious illness with life-changing consequences.

It is a very common condition that can be successfully managed. Patients deserve to have access to technological advances to give them every advantage in coping with the illness.

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