The posts include a Consultant in Respiratory Medicine with a Special Interest in Chronic Disease, a Consultant in Cardiology with a Special Interest in Chronic Disease Respiratory, and Cardiac Physiologists with administrative support. A Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist has already commenced and with the provision of this post NTproBNP blood screening is now available to GPs across the Midwest.
“I would hope the HSE expedites the filling of these positions so that extensive waiting lists for chronic disease services across the wider region can be reduced,” commented Deputy McNamara.
He continued, “It is also important that patients can receive these services closer to home without the need for travelling long distances.”
The HSE confirmed the news to Deputy McNamara in response to his Parliamentary Questions about lengthy waiting lists for podiatry services in County Clare. There are currently 542 patients waiting to be called for their first appointment and 3,461 patients on the active database in County Clare.
In a written response to Deputy McNamara, the Head of Service for HSE Primary Care Services confirmed 20 full-time specialist roles are to be assigned to a new Chronic Disease Team in Clare specialising in cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and Type II Diabetes. Based at the new Primary Care Centre on the Station Road in Ennis, services will be provided on a “hub and spoke model” across the county. Recruitment has already commenced in respect of the positions, which include Specialist, Senior and Staff Grade Podiatrists; Senior and Staff Grade Dieticians; Diabetic Clinical Nurse Specialists; Clinical Specialist; Senior and Staff grade Physiotherapists; Respiratory Clinical Nurse Specialists; Cardiology Clinical Nurse Specialists; Staff Nurse; Staff Grade Clinical Psychologist; and Managerial and Administrative support.