An interim plan for the children's diabetes service in Mullingar hospital has been described as a "sticking plaster". It has been operating without any nursing support recently because of severe staff shortages. But hospital management say a skilled and experienced paediatric diabetes nurse will be available from today (Monday), to provide short-term support to parents. But parents are unhappy and say they want a long-term plan.
145 children use the service, including 18-year-old Ella McDermott from Castlepollard, Co Westmeath. Her mother Lisa believes the temporary nurse support being put in place is herself at danger of burning out:
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