Criticisms of HSE’s failure to fill local posts
A leading consultant at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar has called on local politicians and the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, to provide urgent leadership and says that diabetes care is currently in crisis.
Approximately 13,800 people in the Midlands have diabetes and most have Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). According to a press release issued on behalf of Diabetes Action, the Midlands health area (covering Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford) is to share one of 17 key specialist nursing posts, which must be filled to establish integrated care locally, to reduce preventable T2D complications and to improve patient health outcomes. More people with T2D are being admitted to hospitals and ‘they are now generally sicker and have more complex health problems than ten years ago’, according to advocacy group Diabetes Action.
Over the two year period 2010-11, the press release said, ‘a shocking 65 people from the region underwent a diabetes related lower limb amputation – one of the tragic and costly possible complications of the condition, which a new HSE healthcare approach called integrated care should aim to reduce’.
“Diabetes care is in crisis. Less than half of people with T2D are getting the basic care they need. Funding is actually available for the integrated care post and for the podiatry post at Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar, yet these posts have remained unfilled. Political will and leadership is needed to deliver these essential services”, said Dr Shu Hoashi, Consultant Endocrinologist, Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar.
“It is very frustrating when you see the HSE fill some of the planned 16 podiatry posts in other part of the country, yet we are still awaiting ours. This delay has greatly impeded the roll-out of the National Diabetes Footcare Plan in the Midlands, leaving more T2D patients susceptible to foot ulceration and unnecessary and preventable amputations”, he added.
“We are seeking full implementation by the HSE of the integrated care and podiatry posts serving our patients. Inertia and bureaucracy must not become barriers to providing more comprehensive care to our patients. If these posts, fall foul of the government recruitment embargo or if further significant delays are permitted, there will be a direct negative impact on diabetes care right around the country” said Dr Kevin Moore, Consultant Endocrinologist and Chairperson of Diabetes Action.
“Integrated care would provide a bridge between GPs and hospitals providing more monitoring of people with T2D, preventing health complications and avoiding costly hospital treatment”, according to Dr. Moore.