Major concern over neurology waiting lists

The neurology waiting list now stands at 24,000 – a 20% increase in the last five years, the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) has warned.

Meanwhile, the number of people waiting more than 18 months to see a neurologist jumped from 4,040 in July 2018 to 7,636 in May 2022

The NAI, which is made up of over 30 neurological charities in Ireland, is calling for €3.3 million to be made available in Budget 2023 to support neurological services.

Launching its pre-budget submission, it said funding is needed to fully resource at least four of the seven required community neurorehabilitation teams and to appoint 20 additional nurse specialists across adult neurology services.

According to NAI executive director, Magdalen Rogers, an investment of €3.3 million would have a direct impact on the lives of many of the 800,000 people living with neurological conditions in Ireland.

“It's shocking that Ireland continues to have among the most underdeveloped neurorehabilitation services in Europe, with the lowest number of consultants in rehabilitation medicine and a significant scarcity of inpatient and community neurorehabilitation services,” she commented.

She noted that at a hearing of the  Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health earlier this year, the NAI raised the issue of a critical lack of progress in implementing the three-year framework for neurorehabilitation services, which applied to the period 2019 to 2021. 

Currently, seven of the nine community healthcare organisations (CHOs) nationwide have no community neurorehabilitation teams, including the two CHOs where the major national trauma centres are located.

“These multidisciplinary teams provide vital care to support recovery and prevent disability for people with neurological conditions including acquired brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease,” Ms Rogers explained.

She also emphasised the key role of neurological nurse specialists, who “help to tackle hospital waiting lists”, reducing the burden on neurology services. However, there is a serious shortage of these healthcare professionals. For example, currently in Ireland, one in five Parkinson’s patients have no access to a nurse specialist and there are less than half the recommended number of specialist nurses for multiple sclerosis.

Furthermore, there are no nurse specialists for a range of disabling neurological conditions such as Huntington’s disease and adults with muscular dystrophy.

"We are calling on the Government to alleviate the pressure that has been placed on an already under-resourced area with a much-needed investment of funding. This will ensure that those living with neurological conditions, and their families, get the support they need,” Ms Rogers added.

The NAI’s pre-budget submission can be viewed here.