Paediatric Diabetes Service needs more than a 'short term solution'

A Midlands-based European Parliament election candidate has vowed to keep the pressure on hospital management over a long-term strategy for the Paediatric Diabetes Service at Regional Hospital Mullingar.

Laois/Offaly Deputy Barry Cowen, Fianna Fáil European election candidate in the Midlands North West, has today welcomed a commitment from Minister for Health and Fianna Fáil TD Stephen Donnelly to keep the service open, but stressed the importance of a long-term strategy to support families of children with diabetes.

Deputy Cowen reached out to the hospital group after he was contacted by concerned parents, and welcomes news that an experienced paediatric diabetes nurse will be made available to support the service from next week, but insists worried families need more than a short-term solution.

Speaking this afternoon, Deputy Cowen said: "In recent days, parents have been in touch to say that the phone and support service provided to help them manage their children’s diabetic level had been inoperable at Regional Hospital Mullingar.

"I raised this with the hospital group on behalf of these parents, and I’m glad to say that the additional phone supports will be fully operational by Monday, when a skilled and experienced paediatric diabetes nurse will be made available to supplement current staff.

"I will continue to work with the hospital group in order to achieve a long-term strategy to ensure these essential services are available to local families.

"Health Minister Donnelly is fully committed to supporting concerns, and he assures me he will work towards a solution once the Hospital group relay to him the supports they require."