Neurology services: A neurological institute is to be established at the Mater hospital in Dublin which will more than double the number of outpatient clinics available to patients with neurological problems, a leading neurologist has said.
The new centre will also help alleviate pressure on the hospital's accident and emergency department.
Dr Tim Lynch, consultant neurologist at the Mater, told The Irish Times that the Sisters of Mercy have donated 57 Eccles Street, a derelict building opposite the hospital, for renovation into a neurological institute to provide support services to patients with Parkinson's disease, stroke and other neurological conditions. A fundraising campaign is now under way to raise money for the project.
"The building will provide clinical space to see patients as there is inadequate outpatient space at the Mater University Hospital. Increasing neurology clinics will help decrease the one to one-and-a-half-year waiting time to see a new patient in the clinic."
Pointing out that he and fellow consultant neurologist Dr Peter Kelly have to share three outpatient slots every week because of overcrowding, Dr Lynch said the new facility would enable each consultant to conduct three full clinics a week.
"I have been seeing patients for eight years in a 25-year-old Portacabin. The clinics are overrun and often do not finish until 8 or 9 o'clock at night which is not fair to patients or staff."
Because of the lengthy waiting times to see a neurologist, the new institute will also function as a drop-in centre for patients who have been referred by their GP but have yet to see a specialist.
"One of the ways to improve the service is to have a drop-in centre for patients and relatives, where they can access information on neurological conditions and make an appointment to see a nurse specialist to allay any fears they may have," Dr Lynch said.
While the hospital has a nurse-led clinic for patients with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders, there is a need for additional nurse-specialist clinics in multiple sclerosis and epilepsy and for patients who have had a stroke.
Emphasising that one in five of all acute medical admissions had a neurological problem, Dr Lynch said improving the neurological services would significantly help to alleviate pressure on the accident and emergency department.
"Say a patient is seen in A&E following a fit and has now recovered, the patient is more likely to be discharged if he can be seen in the neurology clinic within a short period of time."
Fundraising for the project is being co-ordinated by the Mater Foundation, a registered charity. For more information, visit www.materfoundation.ie