Neurology: waiting for urgent appointments for 68 weeks

The Belfast Health Trust has stated that people requiring an urgent appointment to see a neurologist can expect to wait 68 weeks for an appointment.

The wait for a first routine appointment with a neurologist is 246 weeks.

Confidence said "waiting times are much longer than we would like".

According to NI, there is a shortage of neurology consultants for this "complex" service and "demand exceeds capacity".

The most recent figures follow a review of patient notes related to the work of neurology consultant Dr. Michael Watt.

The trust said it is continuing its relationship with the Health and Social Services Board "to find a long-term solution to reduce wait times in the near future."

"The Ministry of Health began a review in September of the regional neurology services currently underway," the trust added.

"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. "

Last month, the Ministry of Health announced that an additional 1,044 people would be recalled following a review of 2,500 neurology patients.

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