I propose to take Questions Nos. 830 and 875 together.
Diabetes is a complex condition that can have a profound impact on the quality of life of people living with the condition. The management of emotional and psychological well-being is an important part of diabetes care and self-management.
The Model of Care for Paediatric Healthcare, Chapter 23 Diabetes and Endocrinology (2015) outlines how Paediatric Diabetes Services should be configured regionally to ensure that each affected child and family has access to a trained multidisciplinary team in their region.
Current whole time equivalent (WTE) allocation of clinical psychology to paediatric teams nationally are as follows:
- 0.5 WTE CHI at Crumlin for paediatric diabetes
- 0.5 WTE CHI at Temple Street for paediatric diabetes
- 0.5 WTE CHI at Tallaght for paediatric diabetes
- 0.5 WTE Regional Hospital Mullingar for paediatric diabetes
- 1 WTE general paediatric psychologist in each of University Hospitals Cork, Limerick and Galway shared across paediatric services - not specifically appointed for care of children and young people with paediatric diabetes.
Where there are no mental health team members on the regional diabetes team, children are referred to services depending on their clinical presentation.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) service provides support in the community for children and young people with moderate to severe mental health difficulties. Primary care psychology services and the Jigsaw service can also provide patients with support, although these services may not have clinical expertise regarding children and young people living with diabetes.
The 2021 National Service Plan recognised the need for an unprecedented expansion of the permanent health workforce through permanent appointments. Funding has been provided for an increase to approximately 135,655 WTE across the health service by December 2021, which is an increase of 15,838 WTE over funded 2020 levels. There is significant workforce recruitment underway. The HSE Pay and Numbers Strategy identifies the specific roles and grades to be hired.
