SICK children’s services have seen a massive cutback in Limerick and Diabetes Ireland say children are being put at risk.
The position of paediatric endocrinologist, a children’s diabetes specialist, will shortly operate on a part-time basis at University Hospital Limerick, and there is currently no funding available to recruit a second, the HSE revealed this week.
Since October 2013, a locum paediatric endrocrinologist had been operating on a full-time basis, as UL Hospitals were unable to recruit a part-time locum to provide maternity cover.
Since the professor of paediatrics has now returned from maternity leave, the locum contract has ended and the post will revert to a part-time position.
In addition, the part-time consultant is to be shared with Galway as part of the implementation of plans which ensures that all children under five have access to insulin pump therapy.
Diabetes Ireland says that children’s diabetes services in Limerick improved dramatically while there was a full-time paediatric endocrinologist in place, and they are concerned that the level of care will now deteriorate.
Dr Anna Clarke of Diabetes Ireland said: “At minimum, Limerick and Galway need a part-time post in each hospital to support this. Cutting the Limerick service medical support to a fifth will put children’s health at risk on a daily basis and we end up spending more on inpatient treatment and long-term complications. Our children deserve better.”
Diabetes Ireland is now calling on local TDs to bring the issue to the immediate attention of hospital management, the HSE and the Department of Health.
The group says that during the last year “there was a fivefold increase in care and support” and patients had received quarterly medical appointments.
Children with type 1 diabetes need three-monthly reviews to ensure their growth and development.
According to Diabetes Ireland, a part-time consultant could not possibly review the 250 children attending Limerick four times a year.
A spokesperson for UL Hospitals told the Limerick Post: “UL Hospitals recognise that patients may see some slight change in service following the return of the paediatric endocrinologist role from full-time to part-time.”
The spokesperson added that the hospital recognises the need for an additional paediatric endocrinologist in the Mid West and West Region, but that a funding application for 2014 was unsuccessful.
A further application is expected to be made for 2015.
The spokesperson concluded: “Without approval and additional resources, UL Hospitals is not in a position to recruit an additional paediatric endocrinologist at this time.”
