The treatment of children with type 1 diabetes in Ireland is “very far from where it should be”, a leading consultant has warned.

According to paediatric endocrinologist at Cork University Hospital (CUH), Dr Colin Hawkes, a coordinated national child diabetes strategy is needed if the care of affected children is to be improved.

Dr Hawkes and his team at CUH treat almost 500 children with type 1 diabetes, however, a lack of resources means it is not possible to see children every three months as recommended. Some children are being left waiting up to eight months between appointments.

“In CUH alone, we have an exceptional team, but we should have six diabetes nurses for the number of children we care for and we only have three. We have submitted a business case requesting three more. It is extremely difficult to provide the care these children deserve at such low staffing levels.

“We are also totally unequipped to address the psychological burden of this disease,” Dr Hawkes explained.

Cork is currently the largest centre in Ireland without a dedicated psychologist to support affected families

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body’s own immune system destroying the insulin-making cells (beta cells) of the pancreas. When a child is diagnosed, they must learn to detect glucose levels and administer insulin throughout the day and night.

If it is not properly controlled, type 1 diabetes increases the risk of a number of serious conditions, such as heart disease and kidney failure.

“It is extremely important to get it right. This is critical in childhood, where we are setting the child on a lifelong journey in managing this condition.

“The aspiration should be that every child should have access to the same and the best standard of care, regardless of where they live. However, there is not equity in Ireland in relation to access to a full diabetes multidisciplinary team,” Dr Hawkes said.

He noted that some children face long journeys to be treated.

“CUH is a regional centre of excellence for children with type 1 diabetes in the South/Southwest Hospital Group. In addition to our local children, we provide diabetes expertise for children in Kerry and as far as Clonmel in Tipperary.

“Rather than bringing children long distances to us, appropriate staffing of the diabetes programme at Cork would allow our diabetes team to perform regional outreach clinics. In my view, that should be the model,” Dr Hawkes said.

He emphasised that the burden this condition places on children “is huge”, with rates of depression as high as 20% among this young population.

Furthermore, it can also become a “disease of the family”, impacting everyone involved and leading to a higher rate of anxiety, depression and divorce among parents of children with the condition.

“Family stress and burnout is common as the condition has to integrate into every aspect of the child’s life, including school, sleepovers and sporting/leisure activities. A strong diabetes team can support families in navigating the challenges that each of these events brings,” Dr Hawkes added.

He made his comments ahead of World Diabetes Day (November 14).