To ask the Minister of Health to detail any plans he has to ensure staffing levels are adequate to ensure that those who are currently unable to access annual check-ups with hospital consultants or Diabetes Specialist Nurses to monitor and manage their condition can access these services.

A strategic workforce review for specialist diabetes, led by the Department of Health Workforce Policy Directorate, is proceeding as part of my Department’s ongoing workforce planning programme. This review, which is near completion, aims to secure the workforce supply of those staff directly involved in the delivery of specialist diabetes treatment and care, including hospital consultants and diabetes specialist nurses. This 10-year forward view will inform workforce planning needed to ensure equitable access to specialist diabetes professionals across Northern Ireland, in order to provide a safe, effective and quality service for people living with diabetes.

An Action Plan will be developed to deliver on this review’s recommendations. I remain committed to implementing the recommendations of strategic planning workforce reviews that have been accepted by my Department. However, we can only do this if we have adequate financial resources in place.