IPSWICH: A ten-year-old girl will get the life-changing diabetes treatment she needs after health bosses vowed to recruit another specialist nurse.

Worried mum Tracy Ryman contacted The Evening Star, after learning her daughter Chloe, who has type 1 diabetes, could not have an insulin pump fitted due to the heavy workload on the trust’s Diabetes Centre’s single specialist paediatric nurse.

After gathering the support of more than 2,500 people on Facebook, Mrs Ryman and other parents met with hospital bosses to discuss their concerns.

Today Ipswich Hospital’s director of nursing Siobhan Jordan said: “We have reviewed the service and I am absolutely delighted to go back to the families and confirm we are looking to recruit a new specialist diabetes nurse to care for children.

“We have listened, agreed the workload of the nurse was significant due to more children being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and we have responded.”

Mrs Ryman, of Castle Road, praised the hospital for their “brilliant care” and for listening.

“It is really good news,” she said. “It is brilliant, we have only been campaigning for four weeks, this just shows what you can do.

“The insulin pump is vital to Chloe, it will change her life, regulating her levels, helping to prevent future complications which can include blindness and limb amputations.

“The hospital have been brilliant, in their care, and listening to us. We are so pleased.” Chloe’s treatment will go ahead as soon as possible.

Ipswich MP Ben Gummer, who with Central Suffolk and North Ipswich MP Dr Dan Poutler backed the campaign, said: “It is fantastic and shows what a campaign like this can do.

“I really commend the hospital for listening to their arguments and acting so rapidly, especially when times are tough. It shows it can be done.”

n What do you think about the boost for diabetes care? Call the newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk