Urgent consultations in neurology take 68 weeks

People needing urgent consultation to see a neurologist can expect to wait 68 weeks for an appointment, the Belfast Health Trust announced.

The wait for a first routine appointment with a neurologist is 246 weeks – nearly five years.

Confidence stated that waiting times were "much longer than we would like".

According to NI, there was a shortage of neurology consultants for this "complex" service, adding that demand "exceeded capacity".

The most recent figures, first published in the Belfast Telegraph, follow a review of patient notes related to the work of neurology consultant Dr. Michael Watt.

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The trust stated that it continues to work with the Health and Social Services Board to reduce wait times.

Since September, the Ministry of Health has been reviewing its neurology services.

"Part of the review will examine the possibilities of reducing wait times by relying on several initiatives to improve the pathways of access for people with neurological disorders and referrals. with symptoms suggestive of a neurological condition, "said the trust.

David Galloway, director of the MS Society of Northern Ireland, said: "Any delay in diagnosis and treatment can have long-term and permanent effects on the quality of life and the level of disability."

He added that "waiting times have been unacceptable and these recent figures continue to paint a dark picture".

"The workload of MS consultants and professionals is huge and it's largely their dedication that keeps the system even at its current level," Galloway said.

"People with a neurological diagnosis and those with a chronic illness, such as MS, deserve a more responsive system that allows them to get the diagnosis, treatment and care they need much more. quickly."

Last month, the Ministry of Health announced that an additional 1,044 people would be recalled following a review of 2,500 neurology patients. – given the concerns that some may have been misdiagnosed by Dr. Watt.

This is the largest patient recall of the Belfast Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust.