Work on the development of a Diabetes Register for the Mid-West Region is nearing completion stage, according to Clare T.D. and Minister for Defence Tony Killeen.
The register is being compiled by the Health Service Executive (HSE), in association with GP’s throughout the region.
In a written response to representations made by Minister Killeen on behalf of diabetes patients seeking Podiatry services in County Clare, the HSE confirmed that there are currently 1,580 persons with diabetes on the podiatry caseload. 71% of these had received annual screening at the end of August this year.
The HSE said it anticipated that all of diabetes sufferers known to them will have been offered a podiatry appointment including foot screening by the end of the year.
According to Minister Killeen: “Incidence of diabetes is increasingly steadily in Ireland partly due to diet and lifestyle factors. The HSE says this poses many challenges for the delivery of services for patients, not least in terms of reducing the risk factors for development of foot complications associated with diabetes. Annual retinopathy screening and foot screening are part of the international and national recommendations on diabetes care.”
He continued: “The HSE informed me that there are three Podiatrists in County Clare and whilst referrals for the service are many and of a varied nature, all referrals for person with diabetes are prioritised for initial visit, including screening to determine the risk status of developing foot complications associated with diabetes.”
Minister Killeen noted that according to national prevalence rates for diabetes and population health data on diabetes it is likely that there are more than 3,000 person in Clare with diabetes.
“Whilst all newly diagnosed persons presenting at the diabetes out-patient clinic at Ennis General Hospital are referred to the community Podiatry service for foot screening and follow up examinations, many have yet to be identified. Therefore, I welcome the commitment by the service to ensure all diabetes sufferers are provided with podiatry assessments before the end of 2010. I also welcome the progress being made on establishing a Diabetes Register for the Mid-West Region”, he concluded.
The register is being compiled by the Health Service Executive (HSE), in association with GP’s throughout the region.
In a written response to representations made by Minister Killeen on behalf of diabetes patients seeking Podiatry services in County Clare, the HSE confirmed that there are currently 1,580 persons with diabetes on the podiatry caseload. 71% of these had received annual screening at the end of August this year.
The HSE said it anticipated that all of diabetes sufferers known to them will have been offered a podiatry appointment including foot screening by the end of the year.
According to Minister Killeen: “Incidence of diabetes is increasingly steadily in Ireland partly due to diet and lifestyle factors. The HSE says this poses many challenges for the delivery of services for patients, not least in terms of reducing the risk factors for development of foot complications associated with diabetes. Annual retinopathy screening and foot screening are part of the international and national recommendations on diabetes care.”
He continued: “The HSE informed me that there are three Podiatrists in County Clare and whilst referrals for the service are many and of a varied nature, all referrals for person with diabetes are prioritised for initial visit, including screening to determine the risk status of developing foot complications associated with diabetes.”
Minister Killeen noted that according to national prevalence rates for diabetes and population health data on diabetes it is likely that there are more than 3,000 person in Clare with diabetes.
“Whilst all newly diagnosed persons presenting at the diabetes out-patient clinic at Ennis General Hospital are referred to the community Podiatry service for foot screening and follow up examinations, many have yet to be identified. Therefore, I welcome the commitment by the service to ensure all diabetes sufferers are provided with podiatry assessments before the end of 2010. I also welcome the progress being made on establishing a Diabetes Register for the Mid-West Region”, he concluded.
