Troy: Families extremely anxious over paediatric diabetic services at Mullingar hospital

Parents have been left extremely anxious over the staffing of paediatric diabetic nurse services at Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar, Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy has pointed out.

The Longford Westmeath TD wrote to hospital management seeking clarity over the services for children with diabetes at the hospital.

He has passed on the following response from management at the hospital, in response to queries from affected parents: “Currently the CNM 11, Paediatric Diabetes is on scheduled leave. Due to pressures on the Paediatric Nursing Team, it has not been possible to date to release a staff member to provide cover for this leave. The Senior Nurse Management team are continuing to explore all options in an effort to achieve this.”

Deputy Troy said: “I’ve been contacted by numerous parents in recent days over nurse staffing issues relating to the care of children with diabetes.

“Parents have been informed by a consultant that the diabetic nurse services for their children are no longer being staffed.

“They are understandably extremely anxious that their children will not receive the care they need.

“I have written to the hospital management to ascertain the exact issue and seek clarity over any recruitment and vacancy issues caused by the current embargo on recruitment. I’ve informed them that I would be more than willing to raise any issue with my party colleague Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly.

“I want to see this issue resolved as a matter of urgency. Children with diabetes deserve to receive the appropriate care.”