80 lives a year lost over lack of epilepsy resources

UP TO 80 deaths from epilepsy each year could be prevented if the Government had kept promises to provide better services for the 35,000 Irish people living with the condition.

The Irish Epilepsy Association, Brainwave, said between 60 and 80 people die as a result of epilepsy each year. About half of deaths are caused from an injury such as burning or drowning during their seizure while the other half die as a direct result of their seizure.

The association said the deaths could be prevented if patients were given adequate treatment that would allow them to control their seizures. But waiting lists to see a neurologist, or brain specialist, are more than two years long.

There are just 20 consultant neurologists in the country, two of whom specialise in epilepsy. This is despite three reports commissioned by the Health Service Executive (HSE) recommending that 42 neurologists are needed.

There are just four consultant neuropsychologists despite recommendations that at least double that number be provided.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has criticised the HSE for a shortage of epilepsy services, which it said are among the worst in Europe.

Dr Tarun Dua, from the WHO’s programme for neuroscience, told a conference in Dublin yesterday: “The resources available for epilepsy care are insufficient and substantial and systematic action to enhance resources is needed.”

President of the International Bureau for Epilepsy, Hanneke de Boer, said he could not understand why services are so bad here.

“Ireland is a high-income country with a population of over 4.2 million people. The country has just 20 adult and five paediatric neurologists, of whom five adult and two neuro-paediatricians are trained epileptologists. There is currently no specialist centre and there is a clear lack of neurologists, neuro-specialists and community epilepsy nurses,” he said.

Dr Norman Delanty, consultant neurologist and epilepsy specialist at Beaumont Hospital, said: “Another scandal is waiting to happen.

“Waiting times of up to two years to see a neurologist are not uncommon for both public and private patients. Waiting lists for MRI scans run at nine months, neuropsychology services at one year and the epilepsy surgery pathway is painfully long and potentially life-threatening.”

Dr Delanty said the long waiting times are a result of a shortage in neurologists or consultants specialising in treating brain conditions.

“We need a significant pro-active plan to improve the situation with support from specialists, the HSE, government, patients and the voluntary sector,” he said.

He said problems in providing care will only be solved with a specialist centre providing short-term residential care and out patient care for epilepsy patients.

“A National Centre serving public and private patients is urgently needed to correct the deficits that exist,” he said.