The Diabetes Federation of Ireland has criticised what it says is a severe shortage of specialists to treat the condition. It also said waiting lists at some hospitals were unacceptably long.
It is estimated that up to 200,000 people have been diagnosed with diabetes in Ireland.Tens of thousands more are believed to have the condition without knowing it.
The federation's comments came in the wake of a report in The Irish Times Health Supplement yesterday, which revealed four patients had died while on the diabetes waiting list at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin.
Meanwhile in a statement last night, Beaumont Hospital said that there was no suggestion that the waiting time experienced by the four patients was either a direct cause or a contributory factor in their deaths.
The hospital said that the rapid increase in the incidence of diabetes had put significant pressure on services around the country.
"It is important to emphasise that all newly diagnosed diabetes patients referred to Beaumont are seen by specialist medical staff in the diabetes clinic and given treatment and advice on the management of their condition.
"Urgent cases are always given priority," the hospital stated.
