Cutbacks in the health service have had a major impact on young adults with type 1 diabetes, with many complaining of increased waiting times and rushed consultations.

Research carried out by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and University College Cork (UCC) looked at the healthcare provided to young adults aged between 23 and 30 with type 1 diabetes.

Thirty-five patients and 13 healthcare professionals were interviewed.

"Our research found that national austerity measures appear to be negatively impacting health services for young adults with type-1 diabetes in Ireland. There is a need for more doctors and diabetes nurses who specialise in the treatment of diabetes as well as allied health professionals to support diabetes patients in Ireland," explained Dr Diarmuid Smith, a consultant endocrinologist with Beaumont Hospital.

A number of issues were highlighted by the patients as stemming directly from Government cutbacks and the historical underfunding of diabetes services. For example, all of the interviewees said that waiting times to see healthcare professionals had increased in recent years and there was an over-reliance on junior doctors.

They also pointed out that clinic visits were often rushed and too short, not allowing enough time to properly discuss issues.

Meanwhile, the overall continuity of care in the service was not seen as optimal.

The research also revealed an uneven distribution of quality care around the country. Rural services seemed to be under-resourced, with many unable to offer diabetes education programmes to their patients.

Furthermore, certain diabetes technologies, such as insulin pumps, were only available from specialist clinics. If there was no such clinic in a young person's catchment area, they could not obtain these products or had to travel long distances to get them.

According to Dr Anna Clarke of Diabetes Ireland, which part-funded the research, adults with type 1 diabetes are often ‘further victimised by the epidemic of type 2 diabetes'.

"Already overflowing clinics are struggling to cope with increased numbers resulting in people with type-1 diabetes not getting the appropriate number of health checks per annum and reduced time with healthcare professionals.

"This is especially evident in hospitals that do not hold designated type 1 clinics, generally rural areas, where the numbers of people with type 1 diabetes is limited," she explained.

She said this issue was ‘further compounded' by a lack of psychological support, which she described as a ‘major requirement for all people living with a lifelong condition that face challenges on a regular basis'.

Meanwhile, the research also noted that while both the patients and professionals who were interviewed identified many of the same problems within diabetes services, the professionals were more critical than the patients.

In fact, even though many of the patients described parts of the service as below average, they still expressed high levels of satisfaction with their care. Many felt that today's diabetes services are simply doing the best they can under difficult circumstances.

The findings were released ahead of World Diabetes Day (November 14).