Children with arthritis waiting more than two years to see a specialist

More than 100 children with a potentially lifelong crippling condition are waiting in excess of two years to see a specialist at the only public hospital in the country to provide the service that they need.

In total, 373 children are on the paediatric rheumatology outpatient waiting list at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, a service where staffing levels fall far below international standards, according to consultant paediatric rheumatologist Orla Killeen.

While the hospital acquired a second fulltime specialist, Emma MacDermott, two years ago, Dr Killeen said it “should have four or five paediatric rheumatologists based on UK and European figures”.