Cllr Frank McBrearty has appealed to Health Minister James Reilly to listen to the parents of children in Donegal with diabetes.
Cllr Frank McBrearty
A protest is planned tomorrow by parents of children with diabetes who claim services are being downgraded across Donegal.
Cllr McBrearty, who himself is diabetic, has demanded the Minister sit up and pay attention to the needs and rights of parents of children with the condition.
Minister for Health
Dr James Reilly TD
Dept of Health
Hawkins House
Dublin 2
1st March 2014
Dear Minister Reilly
I am writing to you as parent, a diabetic and as a Local public representative that is a member of the HSE western forum who represents the people of Donegal.
I wish to bring to your attention the problems diabetic children and their families are going to face when the paediatric diabetic service is reduced for the 143 children that depend on this service. See attached email to me from Sara Louise Bonner, one of the 143 paediatric diabetic patients in Donegal and her Mother Kathy Bonner’s feelings on how serious this situation will become for these families. When you read their story about how this will affect them, you will fully understand how important the service of Avril McCloskey the nurse with the knowledge, experience and the understanding of what the needs of these families are and in particular the paediatric patients themselves you will then understand.
Minister, I believe that as a Doctor you should have the knowledge and understanding of how these families feel with this service being reduced. We as Irish citizen are supposed to be protected by our Constitution and the rights of our children are enshrined in that Constitution.
Minister, you will see attached also in my letter an update on the paediatric diabetes service provision. The contents of this you are probably aware of and if you are not then I would as a parent and diabetic sufferer encourage you to have your aids bring you up to speed on the situation in Donegal. You are well aware of the Geographical situation Donegal finds its self in and where by the 5 centres of excellence for this service are now below a line which is drawn from Dublin across to Limerick. This is not acceptable to the families and the 143 paediatric patients that are suffering on a daily basis. Diabetes numbers are increasing by the week in Ireland and we must ensure that this terrible illness is given the support it truly deserves. Minister, I have already brought to your attention the problems with services we are enduring at LGH presently. Value for money is what comes to mind and hospital management has many questions that need to be answered. We don’t need waffle we need action, support and most of all the services we are entitled to as Irish citizens. There are over 5000 adult diabetics in Donegal alone and this number is increasing which you will see from the attachment information on the paediatric service update. Some of the parents have already met with you about their concerns which you will also see in the attachment document.
Finally Minister, I would hope that you will listen to these families concerns and reverse this unjust decision. The Diabetes Expert Advisory Group recommendation (2008) states there should be 1 nurse to every 100 children/adolescents’ with diabetes. Donegal has the numbers to have 1.5 nurses treating exclusively in paediatric diabetes care. What is the point in setting up these groups if you are just going to ignore their advice and recommendations’, it is not right. Why should our children be forced to travel a round trip of 400 plus miles to avail of this service, what makes our children’s rights different to the rights of children in Dublin and Limerick There is no wealth without health. I was sincerely great full for your financial help with my Sport aiding mental health conference (Sam) last year. Mental health and positive mental health is another aspect of the issues that affect families with the illness of diabetes, so we must ensure that the services that are needed be put in place and that the services that are already there are protected also.
Minister, I look forward to your reply and I hope it will ensure that the care, services, supports and rights of children and adolescents with Diabetes be protected, enhanced and retained. This will deliver a better service in Donegal to which we are entitled to. As the Latin Proverb goes “Let justice be done or the Heavens may fall”
Yours Sincerely
_______________________________________
Cllr Frank McBrearty Jnr
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