Neville attacks inadequate rheumatology care services

PEOPLE with arthritis are suffering needlessly in the Mid-West due to inadequate specialist care, it was claimed yesterday.

The lack of full time rheumatology services in the region was condemned by Fine Gael junior spokesman on health, Deputy Dan Neville.

He said that, with a population of more than 400,000, the region should have five full-time consultant rheumatologists.

However, he said: “At present, the entire region is served not by one but by half of one consultant.”

Mr Neville also claimed Health Minister Mary Harney had neglected a major area of healthcare.

“People suffering from arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and sports injuries in the Mid West have been completely ignored by the minister,” he said.

Similarly, he said the Mid West was served with only one clinical specialist nurse.

The deputy said there should be two such specialists nurses. “This clinical nurse specialist is based in Croom orthopaedic hospital and attends clinics in Croom and the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle. She reviews patients in clinics and provides advice and education to patients both in clinic and outside clinic hours during the week. And there is not current day case rapid access service.”

Patients, he said, requiring same day case procedures, have at present to be admitted to acute wards.

“There is no rheumatology DEXA service. There is no occupation therapy service,” he said.

As one-in-10 in the population reportedly suffer from arthritis, it would amount to approximately 40,000 sufferers in the Mid-West.

Mr Neville continued: “Early referral, early recognition and early appropriate therapy for arthritis are of critical importance and this has been shown to improve long-term care.”