More than 24,000 people are currently waiting for an outpatient neurology appointment, with one-in-six waiting over 18 months to be seen
None of the country’s ten neurology centres have a full multidisciplinary team in place as recommended, a new report has found.
Only half of the centres have dedicated physiotherapy access, while just four have dedicated speech and language therapy facilities.
The Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI), which carried out the study, said that the findings show that services are not meeting the needs of patients with conditions such as Parkinson’s, stroke and motor neuron disease.
There are currently over 24,000 people waiting for an outpatient neurology appointment, according to figures from the National Treatment Purchase Fund, with more than 4,000 waiting over 18 months.
It is ten years since a range of key recommendations were made as part of a new model of care for neurology services. However, the number of people on a waiting list to see a neurologist has almost doubled over the past decade, while several of those recommendations have yet to be implemented.
““This report confirms what patients and families across Ireland have been telling us for years – access to neurology services is inconsistent, under-resourced and, in many cases, simply not meeting needs,” said NAI chief executive Magdalen Rogers.
“With one-in-six people in Ireland living with a neurological condition, this is not a niche issue – it is a major public health challenge.”
The report highlighted stark regional disparities in access to care, with several Model 3 hospitals lacking adequate neurology services.
A survey of the country’s ten neurology centres also found that less than one-third have access to neuropsychology, while just one has access toa dedicated dietitian. Four centres had no access to post-acute inpatient neurorehabilitation.
“This report clearly demonstrates the gap between policy and reality on the ground,” said Consultant Neurologist at Beaumont Hospital Prof Orla Hardiman.
“Addressing workforce shortages and ensuring access to multidisciplinary care are essential if we are to deliver safe, effective and equitable services. A fully implemented hub-and-spoke model offers a pathway forward, but it must be adequately resourced and strategically delivered.”
The report gathered the views of patients, who spoke of long delays, significant travel burdens and limited access to follow-up care. Many described their lives being placed ‘on hold’ while waiting for appointments and services.
“I have a neurology service, but it is 120 miles away, so I have to travel to see people,” said one patient.
“Outside of that expertise that we only see maybe once every six months or once every year, we are in a bit of a limbo….if we are deteriorating or if something new happens,” added another.
The NAI has called for urgent action to ensure equitable access to fully-resourced services. This includes bridging the gap in care between Model 3 and Model 4 sites, addressing critical staffing shortages, particularly in specialist nursing and multidisciplinary teams, and investing in neurorehabilitation and long-term community supports.
“We are encouraged by the Government’s commitment to a hub-and-spoke model, but it is critical that this is delivered with urgency and backed by the necessary investment in staffing and infrastructure,” added Ms Rogers. “Patients simply cannot afford to wait any longer.”
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