Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Recent correspondence I had with members of the Donegal branch of Diabetes Ireland has thrown up the massive problems Letterkenny University Hospital and the Saolta group are having in the recruitment and retention of consultant endocrinologists in the hospital. The former Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, announced a second post in 2017. To date that has never been filled. The current resident will finish up in the coming weeks. From what I can gather, Saolta and the HSE have no plan yet for endocrinology cover and proper governance from July onwards. I have been consistently raising the ongoing issues in diabetes care in the north west but nothing has improved. Why is Saolta having such difficulties recruiting people to specialist roles in diabetes care across the north west, but particularly in Letterkenny University Hospital? Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister, Saolta and Letterkenny University Hospital to meet with Deputies and stakeholders from the region as a matter of urgency to try to address this issue?

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