Arthritis sufferer’s painful wait for a service that doesn’t exist

I READ with some interest your report headlined ‘Tralee waiting lists completely unacceptable’ (December 3).

Rheumatology (arthritis) services in Co Kerry are non-existent in the public hospital there.

Once a month the rheumatologist from Cork University Hospital (CUH) holds a morning outpatient clinic at Kerry General Hospital, 10am to 1pm, where between 30 and 40 patients, eight of whom would be new patients, are seen. A quick calculation — each patient gets six minutes with a doctor who may not even be the rheumatologist. I heard a rumour that people could avail of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF), so I telephoned the NTPF and simply said: “I am waiting to see a rheumatologist. Can you help?” Seems not, as the NTPF deals with ‘procedures’ — as in surgery — and rheumatology is a sub-specialty of internal medicine that involves non-surgical evaluation and treatment.

In simple terms, drug intervention only — so rheumatology is not available on the NTPF system.

Unless your joints deteriorate while waiting on the seven-year list and you need replacement joints or surgery, only then can you avail of the NTPF. Unfortunately, my health deteriorated and I waited four months for a bed in CUH. Eventually my GP, who was concerned with the wait, sent me to Cork Outpatients’ Clinic where I was admitted with “heart and lung” complications. The problem is CUH has its own catchment area: arthritis patients who reside in Cork city and county. It is easier and faster to get to CUH if you reside in Cork city or county, but a good two-hour trip from Tralee and longer from Dingle. Therefore, if a bed becomes available, would you rather admit a patient in 30 minutes, or wait for a patient to travel from Tralee or Dingle, providing they have transport? The Comhairle na nOspidéal — Rheumatology Services Report 2005 states on page 10: “Immediate priority post KGH (Kerry General Hospital)”. There is still no sign of any “immediate priority” rheumatologist at KGH.

I gave up on this slapdash rheumatology service in 1998 and have not seen a rheumatologist since. In fact, I wonder why I bothered entering this shoddy system because my Labrador recently succumbed to arthritis and is receiving superior treatment from the vet. Truly, it’s a dog’s life.

Gillian Rowe

Killerisk

Tralee

Co Kerry