\n<\/p>\n
More than 24,000 people are currently waiting for an outpatient neurology appointment, with one-in-six waiting over 18 months to be seen<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
None of the country\u2019s ten neurology centres have a full\u00a0 multidisciplinary team in place as recommended, a new report has found.<\/p>\n
Only half of the centres have dedicated physiotherapy access, while just four have dedicated speech and language therapy facilities.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s, stroke and motor neuron disease.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u201cThis report confirms what patients and families across Ireland have been telling us for years \u2013 access to neurology services is inconsistent, under-resourced and, in many cases, simply not meeting needs,\u201d said NAI chief executive Magdalen Rogers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith one-in-six people in Ireland living with a neurological condition, this is not a niche issue \u2013 it is a major public health challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
The report highlighted stark regional disparities in access to care, with several Model 3 hospitals lacking adequate neurology services.<\/p>\n
A survey of the country\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis report clearly demonstrates the gap between policy and reality on the ground,\u201d said Consultant Neurologist at Beaumont Hospital Prof Orla Hardiman.<\/p>\n
\u201cAddressing 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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 \u2018on hold\u2019 while waiting for appointments and services.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a neurology service, but it is 120 miles away, so I have to travel to see people,\u201d said one patient.<\/p>\n
\u201cOutside of that expertise that we only see maybe once every six months or once every year, we are in a bit of a limbo\u2026.if we are deteriorating or if something new happens,\u201d added another.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are encouraged by the Government\u2019s 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,\u201d added Ms Rogers. \u201cPatients simply cannot afford to wait any longer.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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