Neurology patients waiting up to 3 years for care

Children and adults with serious brain conditions are waiting years for treatment, seeing vital state supports axed, and are increasingly seeking help privately because they have lost faith in the public system.

The graphic findings detailing the reality of Ireland’s neurological services will be revealed in a report by a leading patient group later today.

The document, based on the experiences of 600 people with serious illnesses nationwide, has been drawn up by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland to highlight repeatedly ignored gaps in the essential service.

And while the report will underline trends which have existed since before the recession began, it will warn patients are being needlessly damaged because of the failure of those in power to address the problem.

Among the key findings is that people with conditions like stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy are waiting up to three years for vital care.

Latest official figures show 2,095 people were waiting over a year for a neurological outpatient hospital appointment last November.

The figure, which includes some patients whose care is delayed for up to three years, comes despite Health Minister Dr James Reilly’s long-stated target that no one should be waiting more than 12 months for help.

Among the other issues to be raised will be the impact of a series of “stealth cuts” to state services that are meant to support those living with brain injuries.

They include medical cards, home adaptation, mobility allowance and home care packages — all of which the NAI has warned are being removed from patients who need them the most.

The patient group, which represents 700,000 people living with a neurological condition in Ireland, will also underline the reality of how service gaps across the country are directly affecting the income of patients in need of help. It will note that two out of five people diagnosed with a neurological condition are going private for vital physiotherapy and neurology help and rehabilitation because they can no longer access the public alternatives that should be in place.

An NAI spokesperson said the “devastating impact of three years of cuts” is being ignored by those at the head of the health service.

“The survey shows significantly reduced access to services such as respite care and therapy, major reductions in medical card eligibility, and cuts to mobility allowances, home help and home care packages.”

The survey, which follows a similar report in 2011, was carried out at the start of this year and is being released as part of National Brain Awareness Week.

During an Oireachtas health committee meeting last month, the NAI told parliamentarians that thousands of people with severe brain injuries face dangerously long delays to access “overstretched” services that fall “far below what would be expected in a developed country”.