Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for selecting this important topic and the Minister of State for coming to the House to address the issue.

I recently met members of a concerned support group which works with diabetics in the mid-west. The issues they raised included long waiting lists, having to wait for appointments and insufficient staff numbers. As late as yesterday, I spoke to somebody who has been waiting for eight years to see a consultant endocrinologist at University Hospital Limerick, UHL. Yesterday, the individual in question received a phone call to say that a diagnosis would be done over the phone on Thursday. While I know this involves the public health system, a wait of eight years is unacceptable.

Diabetes is a very serious condition but it can be managed and people can have a great quality of life. The other day, I attended a briefing in the audiovisual room and I am grateful to the people who contributed. While I know a little about diabetes, I still found the briefing an eye-opener. Meeting members of the support groups has been education for me as regards the current shortages.

How many vacant posts are there for consultant endocrinologists, advanced nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, staff nurses and dieticians in the University Limerick Hospitals Group, ULHG? These staff are very important and play a key role in treating and working with people who are diabetic. Many people have type 1 diabetes, while many others have type 2 diabetes or are borderline diabetic. Having proper staff in place helps people to change their lifestyle and eating habits and prevents the development of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The person to whom I referred had hair eight years ago but now has none. That person is still waiting to see a consultant, which is a serious situation.This person does not know whether they have diabetes because they have not seen anyone. They have been attending his own doctor but they have waited eight years. That is not acceptable. That is why I put down tabled a question regarding how many vacancies there are and whether they are being filled. One or two nurse practitioner positions have been filled but there are still many vacancies. If the positions are being filled across the sector, how many staff do we expect at UHL in the near future? If vacancies are not being filled, when is it planned to fill them?