Call for action on neurology services

The quality of life for people with neurological conditions has been adversely affected by decades of underinvestment in neurology services, a charities umbrella group has said.

Anne Winslow of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) said this was despite Ireland being an international leader in neuroscience research.

She was speaking ahead of National Brain Awareness week, organised by the NAI, which starts on Monday, March 8.

The week includes a major conference in the Science Gallery at TCD on Tuesday March 9 on the future of neurological conditions in Ireland.

Dr Colin Doherty, consultant neurologist at Dublin's St James's Hospital, has said neurology has been at the forefront of innovation in Irish healthcare.

"This provides an opportunity to show that the solutions are there. We now need the focus and leadership to implement change."

According to Dr Ian Ragan, of the European Brain Council, there is an urgent need to develop neurology services to respond to what what the World Health Organization identifies as a major public health challenge.

To recognise and highlight existing innovative work in neurology in Ireland, the first NAI Innovation Award will be presented at the TCD conference.

For further details of Brain Awareness Week, see www.nai.ie or email - naiirealand@eircom.net

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[Posted: Fri 26/02/2010]