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Neurology services still lacking  Ireland still has the lowest rate of consultant neurologists and rehabilitation specialists in Europe, the Irish Epilepsy Association, Brainwave, has said.
It is highlighting the issue ahead of Brain Awareness Week, which begins on March 10.
As part of the week, Brainwave will host a major seminar on March 13, which will be attended by national and international experts in the field of epilepsy.
These will include Dr Tarun Dua of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Dr Norman Delanty, a consultant neurologist at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, who will examine whether Ireland is ‘still in the dark’ when it comes to epilepsy.
The seminar will also be used to mark the 10th anniversary of the Global Campaign Against Epilepsy, which is a partnership between the International Bureau for Epilepsy, the International League Against Epilepsy and the WHO.
This campaign aims to increase public and professional awareness of epilepsy and highlight the fact that it is a treatable brain disorder. Since its launch, it has made major improvements for people with epilepsy in many countries.
“In size terms, the biggest successes have been in China and Brazil where conditions have improved dramatically for people in these huge countries. The campaign is at present working on a scheme that will get cheap anti-epilepsy drugs to people in many African countries. In most third world countries, at least 80% of people have no access to treatment for their epilepsy”, explained Mike Glynn, CEO of Brainwave.
Brain Awareness Week 2008, which runs from March 10-16, is organised by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI). A number of events are being organised to highlight neurological conditions and the deficiencies that exist in Irish neurological services.
“Despite a report produced by the HSE and currently under review by the National Hospitals Office suggesting that over 800,000 people in Ireland could be affected by neurological conditions in 10 years time, little progress has been made in reaching service and staffing targets established back in 2003”, Brainwave said.
The seminar on March 13 is aimed at medical professionals and policy makers with an interest in epilepsy and the wider area of neurology. Places are limited and must be reserved in advance by contacting Brainwave at (01) 455 7500 or info@epilepsy.ie
For more information on epilepsy, see our Epilepsy Clinic in association with Brainwave at… http://www.irishhealth.com/clin/epilepsy/index.html[Posted: Thu 06/03/2008]
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