Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 829: To ask the Minister for Health the number of centres expected to be included in the national Clinical Programme for Diabetes; if Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal, is included as one of these centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40862/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive (HSE) National Clinical Programme for Diabetes - which includes the care of children and adolescents with diabetes - was established within the Clinical Strategy and Programme's Directorate. The purpose of the programme is to define the way diabetic clinical services should be delivered, resourced and measured; and a clinician has been appointed to lead this development and the programme, which has as its central aim to save lives, eyes and limbs of patients with diabetes.

The national clinical leads for diabetes and paediatrics have met to discuss the issues involved in the care of children and adolescents with diabetes. They set up a working group to discuss current services across the country; to agree a model of care and to standardise these across the country. Their work involves the development of criteria for the use of Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) therapy (insulin pumps) in children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes as the benefits of CSII therapy are well established - particularly in children less than 5 years of age. They will also work on policy to aid the early detection and prevention of diabetes in young children and adolescents. This group's work is continuing and any developments with regard to CSII therapy - including the matters raised by the Deputy - are being considered in the context of the HSE service planning process.