Neurologists shortage - Brain drain must be reversed

THE chronic shortage of frontline specialists in key areas of the health service is well documented.

Less known, perhaps, are the repercussions of this crisis which can result, for instance, in patients with potentially lethal brain disorders having to wait two years for expert treatment.

This scenario relates particularly to the chronic shortage of neurologists which means patients are also denied access to new life-saving treatments for such conditions as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s Disease. As in many specialities, the ratio of neurologists to patients in this country is well below the European average.