Diabetes patients at MGH face uncertainty as service to close
Concerns have been raised over the potential impact on Westmeath patients following confirmation that the adult Type 1 diabetes service at Regional Hospital Mullingar is expected to close temporarily from October 1 due to staffing shortages.
Norman Dolan of the Diabetes Ireland Westmeath Branch has described the situation as “dire straits” and warned that the temporary closure could have a significant impingement on people who rely on specialist hospital care.
Diabetes Ireland, an advocacy organisation which has provided support, education and motivation to people affected by diabetes since the early 1960s, has previously campaigned for greater investment in diabetes services at Mullingar hospital.
Mr Dolan estimates that around 1,100 diabetes patients are currently being treated at the facility. He said the adult Type 1 service is particularly important because patients with the condition require ongoing access to specialist hospital support.
“The diabetic unit for adult patients with Type 1 diabetes is temporarily shutting down on 1 October because of staffing issues,” he said.
“And that's a major problem because Type 1 diabetics always need assistance from the hospital, even though technology has moved us on an awful lot in the last 10 years.”
Mr Dolan said patients who can no longer access the service in Mullingar may have to attend another hospital, potentially adding to waiting lists elsewhere.
“Type 1 diabetics are treated in the hospital and if it is shut, they, along with the people that have Type 1 diabetes at the moment, they can't get attention from the hospital,” he said.
He also highlighted concerns about the availability of specialist staff, saying there has not been a full-time permanent dietician serving adult diabetes patients at the hospital for around 18 months.
“Adult Type 1 diabetics currently have less service than when the thing was set up back in 2008,” he said. “There just shy on 200 diabetics waiting to train for pumps, which are life savers. At present, dietitians and nurse specialists are required to teach diabetes on dose adjustment for normal eating (DAFNE).”
In response, the HSE Dublin and Midlands confirmed that the diabetes service at Regional Hospital Mullingar currently has three vacancies: two clinical nurse specialist positions and one specialist dietetic role.
The HSE said the positions are important to the holistic management of diabetes patients and that recruitment is under way. The hospital is working to appoint a temporary clinical nurse specialist and a permanent CNS, while interviews for a clinical specialist dietician are also taking place.
The HSE acknowledged that, because of the staffing gaps, there is expected to be “some service impact” on the Type 1 diabetes service for a number of months until the vacancies are filled; however, it said Type 2 diabetes services are expected to be minimally affected.
Mr Dolan said Diabetes Ireland would continue to press for improvements to diabetes services in Mullingar and investment in the specialist care available to local patients.