The penalty points system has dramatically reduced the number of victims of road traffic accidents treated at the State's main unit for treatment of spinal injuries, new medical research claims.
A report says admissions to the Mater Hospital's National Spinal Injuries Unit in the first six months show that since the number admitted with severe spinal injuries has fallen by 50 per cent or more since the introduction of the scheme.
The figures, published in this week's Irish Medical Times, compare admissions to the same period in three of the four previous years.
According to the report, from November 2002 to April 2003, 17 patients were admitted to the unit compared to 34 over the same period in 2001-02.
There were 26 admissions in 2000-01, and 36 in both 1999-2000 and 1998-99. The single biggest monthly fall was from 10 in December 2002 to three last December.
The only increase was in March of this year when six people were admitted, compared to three the previous year, according to the report.
Of almost 400 patients admitted to the spinal unit over the period, 37 per cent were road accident victims. However, this dropped to less than 30 per cent in the six months of the points system examined in the study.
However, no change was recorded in the extent of the injuries, and patients who have suffered paralysis continue to be admitted.
Many patients at the unit are young men with serious and long-term injuries involving long hospitalisation and rehabilitation.
The project was led by cardiothoracic registrar, Dr David Healy, who said he began his research when a decrease in time given to treating victims was noticed.
Other doctors involved in the research were consultants, Mr Michael Stephens, Mr John O'Byrne, Mr Frank McManus, Mr Damian McCormack and registrar Dr Paul Connolly.
The paper will be presented to the Sir Peter Freyer Memorial Meeting and Surgical Symposium in Galway next week.