Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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132. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied); the steps he will take regarding the issues raised; the timeframe in which the issues raised will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43101/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Letterkenny and Sligo University Hospitals provide essential high-quality hospital care to patients in the North West. I can assure the Deputy of the continued commitment to develop services in both Hospitals, including those for patients with diabetes.

Adult diabetes services at Letterkenny are currently provided by a consultant endocrinologist, supported by a locum consultant general physician with a diabetic interest. In order to address waiting lists, additional clinics are provided on a monthly basis. Further, the Saolta Healthcare Group has advised that it is making applications for approval of a second consultant endocrinologist and an advanced nurse practitioner post in insulin pump therapy, to serve both adult and paediatric patients.

With regard to paediatric diabetes services, an insulin pump therapy service commenced at Sligo University Hospital in early 2015, with outreach clinics delivered at Letterkenny. However, in mid-April the consultant paediatrician with a special interest in paediatric diabetes post in Sligo became vacant and the Saolta Healthcare Group has advised that it is actively engaged in recruiting a replacement.

Pending completion of the recruitment process, consultant paediatricians at Sligo and Letterkenny Hospitals have undertaken additional training and development to maintain provision of the paediatric insulin pump therapy services at both Hospitals. Further, additional support to these services has now been arranged with another Consultant, currently practising within the Saolta hospitals.

Provision of a Diabetes Centre at Sligo Hospital is included in the Capital Plan and HSE Estates advises that planning permission for this Centre has been granted with construction scheduled to commence by year end 2017 and to be completed by Q3 2018.

I met with the Donegal Branch of Diabetes Ireland, the HSE and the Saolta Healthcare Group on 28 June 2017 to discuss the current challenges and future development of diabetes services in the North West and remain committed to progressing the development of diabetes care in the North West.