CHILDREN with a potentially lifelong, crippling condition are waiting more than a year to see a specialist because of a shortage of resources.

WHAT began as a pain in Fergal Buckley’s side in January 2009 took six months to diagnose as juvenile arthritis and almost another six months to secure an appointment with the appropriate medical expert.

VITAL specialised services for children with a potentially crippling and painful condition have been halved because of staff shortages.

THE health service has just one paediatric rheumatologist to treat a potentially crippling condition that affects up to 1,000 children, resulting in delayed appointments and poor outcomes for many.

FOUR-YEAR-OLD Robert Courtney is a lively and fun-loving child well able to keep up with his twin brother Sam. But he was not always so.