Diabetes children wait more than a year for treatment

Children with diabetes have been waiting for more than a year for treatment at University Hospital Galway (UHG).

Insulin pump therapy has been identified as the primary treatment option for children with type-one diabetes by the HSE’s Diabetes Expert Advisory Group, and is provided for children over the age of five at UHG.

However, figures supplied by the HSE to Galway West TD Brian Walsh reveal that eight children have been on a waiting list for up to two years to receive the life-changing therapy.

Children under the age of five are referred to University Hospital Limerick (UHL), where 157 patients are currently using the service and no waiting list exists at present.

Deputy Walsh, who has been campaigning for paediatric diabetes services in the west for a number of years, said the reduction of waiting times for insulin pump therapy in Galway would have to be a priority in the coming year.

“We’ve made substantial progress on this issue in recent years. In 2012, we succeeded in securing funding for a localised service that saved families from having to travel to Dublin for insulin pump therapy,” he said.

“That was a major step but it’s time to step up resources to ensure that targets are set and met in relation to waiting times for the treatment,” added the Fine Gael TD.

Only five or six new insulin pumps are supplied to children at UHG each year, resulting in significant competition for resources and patients are prioritised in accordance with clinical needs.

At present, eight children have been waiting between one and two years for insulin pump therapy at the hospital, while others have been waiting for between six and 12 months.

“As is the case with so many conditions, early intervention is important and paediatric diabetes services at UHG have to be a priority. This is a specialist treatment, so the waiting lists aren’t huge but the waiting times are excessive,” said Deputy Walsh.

“I’ve highlighted this issue with the Minister for Health and I am assured by hospital management that the development of this service will be a priority in the context of its service plan for next year.”