MS neurologist numbers the lowest in EU

HEALTH chiefs need to double the number of neurologists to give patients with illnesses of the brain and nervous system a fair shot at a good quality of life.

The call comes as a study of services for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients ranks Ireland bottom of 34 European countries when it comes to availability of neurologists to treat the condition.

One shocking statistic shows Romania has 35 times more neurologists than Ireland although both countries have similar numbers of people living with MS. Romania has 700 neurologists and 8,000 MS patients (or one doctor for every 11 patients) while Ireland has just 20 neurologists for 10,000 MS patients or one doctor for every 500 patients.

MS is just one of the medical conditions neurologists treat. They deal with brain injuries, tumours, haemorrhages and Parkinson’s Disease, as well as strokes, migraines and epilepsy.

Patient groups and the medical profession here have long called for more investment in neurological services, citing waiting lists of over a year for appointments and arguing the minimum number of neurologists should be 42. Two reports commissioned by the HSE in the last six years said the same and a third, which the HSE has left unpublished since last year, is understood to concur.

The latest study, an international research project by the World Health Organisation and the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, show the calls are justified. Ireland is not only last in an European table — which includes much poorer Eastern European countries — but is also eighth from the bottom when the number of MRI scanners is counted.

Allen O’Connor, chairman of MS Ireland who has MS, welcomed the research but said it was a “sad reflection” on the state of healthcare in Ireland. “For the first time ever we have international data on a whole range of areas relating to MS including prevalence, diagnosis, neurology services, support structures and quality of life implications.

“However, when we compare and contrast the data we can see there are some major deficiencies in Ireland’s provision of neurology services. We don’t have enough services, facilities or people to meet needs of the MS community.”

The Health Service Executive said there were 24 consultant neurology posts in the health system but four were vacant. It said the posts would be filled “when funding becomes available”.

* www.ms-society.ie Helpline: 1850 233233