Patients with brain disorders have to wait two years

A REVIEW of neurology services has called for a trebling of the number of consultant neurologists to cut treatment waiting times.

With just 14 consultant neurologists working in the state and an estimated 500,000 affected by neurological problems, patients with brain disorders are waiting up to two years to see a consultant.

The report, carried out by a committee of Comhairle na nOspidéal, (the body tasked with regulating consultant appointments) recommends that the consultant/patient ratio be reduced from the 1/280,000 population to one consultant neurologist per 150,000 as an interim measure over the next decade and ultimately, one consultant per 100,000 population.