Despite the government insisting it is committed to the further development of services for people with diabetes, questions and concerns continue about the provision of such services at Sligo University Hospital.
About 30 people need access to continuous insulin administration at Sligo University Hospital to properly control their diabetes.
But these people need training to enable them use the pump required.
Without that training, they are therefore not getting the care that’s been medically prescribed for them.
This results in increased risk of hospitalisation, possible loss of eyesight, amputation, kidney damage and other problems.
However, a letter to Sligo Independent Alliance Councillor Marie Casserly from the chief strategist to the Independent Alliance in the Department of the Taoiseach says that at this time, it is not possible to confirm when the education programme for insulin pump therapy will start.
It says the HSE has advised it is exploring avenues to secure funding that would allow this programme to be run.
The letter also says that the development of the Diabetes Day Unit at Sligo University Hospital is proceeding to Stage 3, with the tender process now underway following a letter of approval received last April.
It is expected that building works will start in the third quarter of this year, but this is ‘subject to funding approval for construction.’
The letter points out that the funding of all projects is subject to the availability of capital funding — and the progress of other priorities.
It is this ‘progress of other priorities’ that will raise concern, considering the current overspend in the health budget — and the efforts needed to curb it.
