There has been a breakthrough today in the crisis affecting the children's diabetes service in Mullingar Hospital.
It has been operating without any nursing support recently because of severe staff shortages.
But hospital management say a skilled and experienced paediatric diabetes nurse will be available from next Monday, to provide short-term support to parents.
It says this is to ensure the continuation of the service.
A letter to parents from hospital manager Kay Slevin reads: "There are a range of longer term solutions that we are working with DMHG (Dublin Midlands Hospital Group) to ensure further stability to the paediatric diabetes service at Regional Hospital Mullingar.
"Professor Michael O'Grady, clinical lead for the paediatric directorate, has agreed to this solution."
The service is used by 145 children.
