MS patients tell of lack of services

The lack of neurologists and associated services is having a detrimental effect on the health of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs was told yesterday.

Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland chief executive Anne Winslow said people with MS had "windows of opportunity" for treatment. "If their condition progresses a stage, delay in a particular treatment may be detrimental to their mobility," she said. "People with a neurological condition often wait up to two years to see a neurologist. Some never see one after diagnosis or are reviewed on an infrequent basis."

She told the committee that the State had 17 neurologists, or one per 200,000 people, while Estonia has 24 per 200,000.

She also said the housing needs of people with disabilities had never been properly addressed. "Many people with multiple sclerosis are currently living in appalling conditions, lacking proper toilet and bathing facilities and in many cases living in one room because the rest of the house is inaccessible.

"MS Ireland calls on the Government to make a significant increase in the disabled persons' housing grant and to ensure equity of access throughout the country."

In its pre-Budget submission, MS Ireland is seeking a new "cost of disability payment" to cover costs such as transport needs and disability aids. "MS Ireland calls on the Government to issue full medical cards to every person diagnosed with MS, irrespective of income," Ms Winslow said.