HSE urged to urgently hire foot specialists

BALLYMOTE-based TD EAmon Scanlon is demanding answers over the lack of podiatry staff in Leitrim.

He’s calling on the HSE to urgently assign staff to cover vital podiatry services for people with diabetes or foot ulcers. There have been no services available in the county since November because of staff shortages.

“These treatments are extremely important for people with diabetes and foot ulcers and is essential in ensure that people can remain mobile and active. These conditions can be very serious is they are not actively managed they can result in amputation.

“The fact that we have had no chiropodist or podiatrist in Leitrim for over five weeks is simply not acceptable. While I appreciate there are staffing issues, more efforts need to be made to ensure that replacement staff are recruited so that a full service can resume. “I’m trying to establish if patients are being referred to other counties or if they are being put on a waiting list. I am calling on HSE bosses to fill these posts as a matter of priority so that people have access to them in their own area”.