Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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18. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware of the recent resignation of two consultant endocrinologists from Letterkenny General Hospital; the plans that are being put in place to address this lack of care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26678/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to assure the Deputy of the continued commitment to developing diabetes services in Letterkenny and throughout the country.

I am aware of the upcoming staffing changes in Letterkenny University Hospital. I want to recognise that Consultant recruitment can be a challenge. I recently visited LUH and discussed this issue with local management.

LUH has approval for two hospital-based consultant endocrinologists. One of these posts is currently vacant, the other is in place until August. LUH is actively recruiting to fill the Endocrinologist vacancies. In the interim, it is exploring all options to maximise the level of cover provided and ensure continuity of care for diabetic patients.

An additional Consultant Endocrinologist has recently been appointed under the ECC programme in Donegal. This is a shared post between LUH and Donegal CHO that will provide greater integrated services for Diabetes patients in Donegal. A Consultant general physician, with a special interest in Diabetes, has been working with LUH for a number of years and remains in place. The Diabetes service at LUH includes three Clinical Nurse Specialists, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) for the paediatric service, a recently appointed ANP for Diabetes in pregnancy and a podiatrist, and an additional podiatrist is currently also being recruited.

HSE National HR have recently been engaging with LUH to assist in the recruitment of a number of consultant posts. I have instructed the HSE to engage with LUH in a similar manner to assist in the recruitment of the 2 vacant Consultant Endocrinology posts.

Budget 2023 provides funding for a number of initiatives aimed at improved patient care, including the development of a National Diabetes Register and the commencement of a National Paediatric Audit of Type 1 diabetes.

Funding has been provided through recent HSE NSPs to expand the permanent health workforce, and significant recruitment has been undertaken to support hospital-based diabetes services.