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.