Double jeopardy - Diabetic children pay the price

IT is a depressing reflection of Ireland’s ailing health system that diabetic children have to wait up to six months or more for a check-up.

Twice the internationally recommended period between checks, this puts vulnerable children at risk of major health complications from their notoriously volatile condition, which is caused by the body’s failure to properly absorb sugar and starch.

A graphic example of the problems facing diabetics is seen at Cork University Hospital where over 200 children are at risk because of inadequate treatment and staffing levels. While the number of diabetic children has almost doubled in three years, no extra staff have been recruited.