Some 16 additional rheumatologists must be appointed immediately if the health service is to clear its backlog of waiting lists, with some arthritis patients enduring a seven-year waiting period, according to Arthritis Ireland.
There is only one full-time rheumatologist for every 400,000 people in the State, despite the World Health Organisation's recommendation of one per 85,000 people. In effect, Ireland now has the lowest number of rheumatologists per head of population in Europe, according to Arthritis Ireland chief executive John Church. Counties such as Limerick, Kerry, Mayo and the midlands are worst affected by the shortage of rheumatologists.
"Belgium has a population of about 10 million people and employs 200 rheumatologists. Ireland would need to employ 100 to have a comparable service . . . We didn't even have a rheumatology strategy as part of our health strategy until now," he said.
As part of the remit of the HSE working group on arthritis, a strategy for rheumatology services will be drawn up and the possibility of introducing courses in medical schools will be reviewed.
"Not enough medical graduates undergo a programme about rheumatoid arthritis and therefore don't recognise the symptoms."
Arthritis Ireland estimates that one in 20 Irish people suffer from the painful condition of rheumatoid arthritis and run the risk of a lifetime of disability, a multitude of complications and early death if it is not identified in time.
One in every 1,000 children in Ireland are thought to suffer from juvenile arthritis, with children as young as 18 months diagnosed with the condition. However, Ireland's first paediatric rheumatologist was only appointed this year.
"Seven out of 10 people who have rheumatoid arthritis cannot work but there remains an awareness issue among employers and the general public. Arthritis is not just about pain. It is a severe and complex disease that needs complex treatment," said Mr Church.
He said that despite the fact that thousands of Irish people suffered from the condition, arthritis was not treated as seriously as conditions such as heart disease or cancer. Mr Church was speaking at an event in Dublin yesterday to mark National Arthritis Awareness week.