Staffing shortages in the diabetic unit at Regional Hospital Mullingar will affect those living with type 1 diabetes.
Midlands people with type 1 diabetes are facing into "a very bad situation" this winter according to the Westmeath Diabetes Branch.
Due to staff shortages, diabetic services at the Regional Hospital in Mullingar are expected to be impacted for a number of months.
Norman Dolan is the founder of the Westmeath Diabetes branch and says there's almost 200 people waiting to be seen.
He says the consequences of the staffing shortage will be felt for a long time:
In a statement to Midlands 103, HSE Dublin and Midlands say that there's currently three vacancies in the service at Regional Hospital Mullingar.
RHM says they're working to recruit two CNS nurse roles and one specialist dietetic role, alongside the appointment of a Clinical Specialist Dietician
The hospital have acknowledged due to these vacant roles, services will be impacted for the type 1 service until they're filled, with minimal impact on type 2 services.
Statement from HSE Dublin and Midlands:
The Diabetes service in Regional Hospital Mullingar (RHM) currently has three vacancies, Two in Nurse specialist roles (CNS) an One in a specialist Dietetic role.
These roles are key to the provision of the holistic management of care for patients with Diabetes.
RHM are working with recruitment colleagues at a regional level to appoint a temporary CNS and a permanent CNS.
RHM are also interviewing a Clinical Specialist Dietician for the service this week and hope to have a successful appointment in due course.
Because of the gaps in these roles, RHM do expect some service impact to the type 1 diabetic service for a number of months until those appointments are made.
Type 2 diabetic services will be minimally impacted.
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