Paediatric Diabetes Service at MRH Mullingar to re-open in mid May

The Paediatric Diabetic Service at Midlands Regional Hospital Mullingar is set to reopen in mid May, according to the HSE.

In a statement issued this morning, the HSE said that an Advanced Nursing Practitioner (ANP) was recently recruited and is set to start work in a little over two weeks.

Over 130 children from Westmeath and neighbouring counties access the service which closed on February 1 due to a shortage of staff.

The news has been cautiously welcomed by Deputy Sorca Clarke, who says that if the service does resume next month it will be a huge relief to the parents of the children who attend the service.

"The situation is fluid and there is information coming from different sectors all the time. This is absolutely to be welcomed. These are positive steps. However, confirmation needs to be given urgently from both the hospital and Professor O'Grady as to a definitive date on when this service will reopen and meet the needs of these children with a life long illness," she said.

Here is the HSE's statement in full:

In order to get the Paediatric Diabetic Service re-opened in Regional Hospital Mullingar, the Ireland East Hospital Group was granted funding for an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) Candidate for the service. The interviews were conducted Tuesday 13th April 2021 with a positive outcome. Regional Hospital Mullingar anticipates an estimated start date for the candidate in mid-May 2021.