Ombudsman welcomes recruitment of two new Diabetic Specialist Nurses

The Public Services Ombudsman has welcomed the Health Authority's recruitment of two new Diabetes Specialist Nurses.

Wendy Cumming says this is an important and positive step, following the findings in her 2024 report that there were "serious deficiencies" in the management of diabetes care.

The Public Services Ombudsman says the recruitment of two diabetes specialist nurses fulfils one of the central recommendations in her 2024 report, which called for urgent systemic reforms.

The report highlighted an investigation into the care of a 71 year old patient who died at Ocean Views in 2020.

The investigation upheld four complaints by the patient's family, including poor management of diabetes, inadequate dietary support, lack of psychological support during hospital admissions, and the removal of a walking aid without replacement.

Wendy Cumming says the recruitment of the two new nurses demonstrates a commitment by the GHA to learning from past shortcomings and building a stronger, safer healthcare system.

She says her office will continue to monitor the GHA's implementation of her recommendations, including the expansion of staff training on hypoglycaemia recognition and management; strengthened engagement with families; and the development of standards of care and clinical governance adapted to Gibraltar.