Hazzard questions reduction in Diabetic Nurses in Newry & Mourne
Sinn Féin MLA Chris Hazzard has written to the Health Minister Jim Wells seeking clarification on why the number of specialist Diabetic Nurses in the Newry & Mourne Area have been cut by 75% in recent months.
Speaking to Newry Times, Hazzard stated, “For many years the Newry & Mourne area set a very high standard for diabetic care as local patients had access to 4 specialist diabetic nurses.
“This was vital to meet the needs for diagnosis, treatment and a wide range of connected health issues. In recent months these 4 nurses have been reduced to just 1 nurse for the entire Newry & Mourne area – it is sheer madness.
“Moreover the excellent care in the community model has been smashed, leaving local patients having to be admitted to Daisy Hill to be seen,” he insisted.
“This worrying situation is surely at odds with the principles behind enhancing community based health care.
Hazzard added, “I have asked Minister Wells to set out the rationale behind such a reduction in vital care for local diabetics – I can’t help but think that lives are being put at risk here, so it is vital that the Minister spells out exactly why this has been allowed to happen.”
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