Laois woman’s wait for neurological services raised in Dáil
The issue was raised in the Dáil
A YOUNG Portlaoise woman with a neurological condition, who has been waiting for four years to be seen at a clinic, has had her case raised in the Dail.
The woman, Caoimhe, is 23 years old and from Portlaoise and she was not diagnosed with scoliosis until she was 17 due to inadequate services, according to local Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley, who raised her case at a session of Leaders Questions, where enterprise minister Peter Burke deputised for Micheal Martin.
Explaining her case, Mr Stanley said: "She had surgery last December and four weeks later developed tremors in her leg, which have affected her ability to walk, meaning she has to use a rollator or a stick.
‘‘Her condition has worsened. She has serious mobility problems. She is facing a four-year wait for the Mater neurological clinic to get services. She has been refused access to other neurological clinics as they are full. Caoimhe is meeting a brick wall. After having to wait until she was 17 to have a diagnosis and 23 to have a surgical intervention, she is left in limbo."
Mr Stanley highlighted that Caoimhe remains anxious to get back to work, but due to inadequate supports across the midlands, she is unable to do so. According to deputy Stanley, Caoimhe's situation displays how the lack of access to adult occupational therapy services is having an adverse effect on people.
Independently commissioned research has found that 58% of neurological patients in the midlands have no access to community rehab and no adult recovery or OT servicing primary care.
In response, deputy Burke said: ‘‘The deputy has a significant concern in relation to his constituent who is absolutely waiting too long. I will raise the issue with the minister for health. However, we have done a huge amount in relation to primary care improvements and reducing waiting lists. We have had an intervention specifically to reduce waiting lists. I will raise this specific issue with the minister for health and bring it to her attention."
