HSE slammed on child diabetes services

Children with diabetes who need to take insulin through pump therapy are having to travel long distances for their care.

The Diabetes Federation of Ireland says this simply highlights the current inadequacies in children's diabetes services in Ireland.

New statistics have shown that a high percentage of children on insulin pump therapy in Dublin hospitals are from outside the capital and are travelling long distances for their care.

The Federation says more insulin pump therapy needs to be provided locally.

"Clinics outside Dublin simply require a local nurse resource to resolve this issue and enable children with Type ! (insulin-dependent) diabetes to avail of insulin pump therapy in their locality and avoid the unnecessary hardship imposed on families."

The Federation said the commitment of the HSE towards improving local diabetes services has been extremely poor.

"This failure will only prolong the present unequal delivery of diabetes care."

Statistics indicating the lack of local services for children with type 1 diabetes were provided in a PQ reply to Labour TD for Cork South Central, Ciaran Lynch.

He said blood glucose levels are more difficult to control in children so access to new therapies and treatments  that can help them achieve greater control is vital, as this will reduce the risk of complications.

For more information on diabetes, see..http://www.diabetes.ie

[Posted: Wed 20/05/2009]