Children appeal for arthritis specialists

A teenager suffering from arthritis says it is unacceptable that children like him are left waiting in pain for years to see a specialist.

Danny De Vaal, 16, was one of a number of children with juvenile arthritis brought together yesterday by Arthritis Ireland to highlight their plight.

All of the children said they were fed up waiting in pain and wanted a dedicated national paediatric rheumatology unit to be established as a matter of urgency.

According to Arthritis Ireland, the waiting list for children with suspected arthritis now stands at more than two years, putting children at risk of permanent joint damage.

More than 1,000 children are living with juvenile arthritis in Ireland, making it as common as childhood diabetes in under 12-year-olds.

However, the paediatric rheumatology service at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin, does not have a dedicated clinical unit.

Also, there are just two consultant paediatric rheumatologists, who also have general medicine responsibilities, and one HSE funded rheumatology clinical nurse specialist appointed for the entire country.

The British Society for Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology states that children with suspected juvenile arthritis must be seen by the paediatric rheumatology team within four weeks of the referral being made.

Danny from North Strand, Dublin, said he had been diagnosed with arthritis when he was just seven years and was given medicine to help him.

“I know how important it is to have quick access to your rheumatologist to get the treatment you need,” he said.

“I can’t imagine how bad it must be for children who have arthritis but can’t get to see a doctor or get the medicine. It’s just not fair that they have to go through that,” he said.

He said children with arthritis were unable to enjoy normal activities and had to endure endless hospital appointments.

“If we are to lead normal life, we need access to treatment within a reasonable timeframe. At the moment, we are waiting in pain and it is not acceptable,” he said.

One of the two consultant paediatric rheumatologists in Ireland, Dr Orla Killeen, who is supporting the campaign said children deserved better.

Dr Killeen said early intervention with aggressive treatment was essential to prevent juvenile arthritis extending to multiple joints.

Left untreated, the disease could lead to permanent muscle wastage, joint damage and deformity.

www.arthritisireland.ie