John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to raise the difficulties facing more than 20,000 people living with type 1 diabetes in Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic. The latest data from across the globe shows, and HSE advice states, that those with diabetes face far worse outcomes if they contract Covid-19. The HSE also advises diabetes patients to avoid visiting hospitals and GP care at all times where possible, yet the same agency is dragging its feet when it comes to best in class care for these patients. To date officials have spent two years reviewing the addition of flash glucose monitoring to the long-term illness scheme for people over the age of 21. Flash glucose monitoring is cutting edge technology that allows for doctors to monitor diabetes patients remotely instead of forcing them to visit their surgeries, use finger-prick tests or use outmoded 1980s technology to ascertain their condition.

The health arguments are clear at this time. There are other products on the market that patients advise me are at least €1,000 per year cheaper, so it makes no sense to continue to exclude them from the long-term illness scheme. This is especially the case at a time when the HSE budget is spiralling and patients tell me they have a strong preference for flash glucose monitoring sensors instead of being forced to apply for the more expensive continuous glucose monitoring sensors.

Six months ago, in its submission to the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response, Diabetes Ireland specifically recommended that the HSE develop a virtual clinical consultation service for type 1 diabetes patients and to extend access to flash glucose monitoring devices to all people with type 1 diabetes who have very complex needs. With several outbreaks of Covid-19 in hospitals in recent weeks, there is an acute need to keep vulnerable patients with chronic illnesses, including diabetes, out of our hospitals unless absolutely necessary.

I would appreciate the Minister for Health coming to the House to inform us what steps he, his Department and the HSE are taking to help diabetes patients in Ireland monitor their illness to keep them from requiring hospital care at this time of great strain on the health service.