By Fiachra Cionnaith
Friday, August 24, 2012
More than 5,000 people suffering from conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinsons, and multiple sclerosis are facing up to four-year delays for public hospital care.
Figures revealed by the Neurology Alliance of Ireland (NAI) show that the lengthy waits are occurring despite HSE attempts to beef up the nations neurological consultant numbers.
The NAI represents 30 neurological charities and 700,000 people across the country facing debilitating conditions. The group has previously warned of the dangers posed by lengthy treatment delays.
According to the group, 5,391 people have been waiting more than a year for outpatient neurology appointments with hospital consultants the first stage in specialised treatment.
The figure, reported on irishhealth.com, includes 1,498 patients whose treatment has been delayed for at least three years despite the fact they are suffering from life-changing conditions
A further 1,147 have been waiting between two and three years for initial outpatient neurology consultant appointments, while 2,746 have seen their care delayed by between one and two years.
A HSE spokesperson confirmed the latest figures, adding that the systems 2012 budget allowed for 13 additional posts, 11 neurology posts and two neurophysiologists to be appointed.
However, the NAI said that even with seven recent appointments, the current figure Was still in the low 30s, far below the target of 42 set out by health service management in 2004.
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Neurology patients face care delays