Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 December 2016
184. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Letterkenny University Hospital has a waiting time for adult diabetes patients of 20 months for a repeat appointment with an endocrinologist, the highest in the State; the resourcing he intends to allocate to the hospital to address this crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39254/16]
View answerThe Diabetes Service at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) serves approximately 700 adult patients with Type 1 diabetes, and 6,500 adults with Type 2 diabetes. There is one Consultant Endocrinologist currently employed at LUH providing the Diabetic Service to this cohort, further support is provided by a locum Consultant General Physician with an interest in Diabetes.
Over the past 12 months, waiting times for newly referred patients have been a key focus. Extra clinics are being run on a monthly basis to tackle this situation; in the last 12 months, the overall waiting list for new patients to be seen by the Consultant Endocrinologist has been reduced by 20%, and the number of new referrals waiting over one year for a clinic appointment has been reduced by 80%.
The HSE has informed me that the waiting time for a repeat appointment with an Endocrinologist in LUH is approximately 20 months. However, work is continuing with the Diabetic Service to further address waiting times for repeat appointments, whilst simultaneously ensuring that newly referred patients are seen promptly.
A business case is being finalised in support of a second Consultant Endocrinologist; the appointment of a second substantive Endocrinologist would greatly enhance the Hospital's ability to meet patient demand.
