Cork Fine Gael TD Deirdre Clune is concerned that medical services for children with diabetes in the Cork region will remain deficient while the post for a Consultant in Paediatric Diabetic Services remains unfilled.
“Widespread concern exists about the rapid growth of diabetes in Ireland which it is estimated may increase by 62% by 2020. The level of diabetes among young people is especially concerning. Despite this the post of Consultant in Paediatric Diabetic Services in Cork which became vacant in April 2010 remains unfilled.”
“The post will deal with over 300 children with diabetes which can be a very volatile condition requiring regular supervision when the patient is young. The fact the consultant’s post has not yet been filled means that these children and their parents are depending on temporary replacements which is not ideal.”
“I contacted the HSE on this matter and they have now written to me to confirm that despite the fact that the post was advertised in June 2010 and interviews held in September the post was never filled. The HSE re-advertised the post in December and this recruitment process is ongoing.”
“The medical services available to children suffering with diabetes should not be determined on the basis of the area of the country in which they live as would currently seem to be the case. The HSE needs to resolve this issue as a matter of urgency.”
