The Head of the Paedriatric Diabetes Services in Regional Hospital Mullingar has written to parents over concerns for the future of the service due to a chronic staffing crisis.
There are currently 145 children and adolescents attending services at the clinic from all over the midlands region.
Three years ago the clinic closed for a few months over staff shortages and lack of resources.
In a letter seen by RTÉ News, Professor Michael O'Grady said the Paediatrics Diabetes service in Mullingar is "once again without any nursing support."
"We cannot assume that the outcome this time will be a positive one, and if things don’t change, the service will again be facing permanent closure," he wrote.
In a statement to RTÉ News issued on behalf of Regional Hospital Mullingar, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said that an interim plan was discussed with the clinical lead last week and a commitment to finalise a solution towards addressing longer-term staffing needs of the service was provided by hospital management.
The HSE said this "ensures stability and avoids any impact for paediatric diabetes patients and their families".
"The hospital does not underestimate the challenges of a child with diabetes and the importance of this service and recognise the importance of the staff supporting this service on a daily basis," it added.
In the letter, Prof O'Grady said the service's current advanced nurse practitioner Niamh O'Rourke has been tasked with a nursing workload intended for 2.6 nurses.
Janice Reel, whose 11-year-old son Rian, has Type 1 diabetes said it is a "life-saving service".
"Without them, I don’t know where we’d end up. I’m concerned for the safety of my child.
"It’s not good enough not to have a service where you live. If this closes we would have to travel to Galway or Dublin, which would mean a full day off school for a child, and a full day off work for a parent. They already miss enough days off school with being sick," she said.
Sinn Féin TD for Longford-Westmeath Sorca Clarke has called on the Government to address the issue immediately.
"Diabetes is a complex health condition that requires around the clock support, particularly for parents with children who have been newly diagnosed and are not entirely familiar with the different ways it can be effectively managed.
"Children should expect to have regular appointments and support once they receive a diagnosis.
"Children and their parents should not be forced to travel the length and breadth of the country to receive basic and necessary healthcare.
"The Paediatric Diabetic clinic in the Regional Hospital must be kept open and must be appropriately funded and staffed," Ms Clarke said.
"The Minister [for Health] along with the department must now take the necessary measures to ensure that the clinic and the vital services which it offers are not forced to close its doors. This must be done without delay.
"Parents and children of Westmeath and the Midlands deserve better," she added.
