Laois UN vet joins campaign for MS service in Portlaoise hospital

United Nations veteran and Laois man has signed up to a battle get the HSE to provide outpatient consultant neurology services at Portlaoise hospital.

Tony Flanagan, who is also a former Irish soldier, is leading the Laois part of the campaign started by the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) to eliminate a situation which forces neurology patients in Laois are travelling over 150km roundtrip to see their neurologists.

The NAI has launched regional campaign was launched at an online briefing on Monday, May 20 for elected representatives from Laois. Speakers at the launch included patient representatives Tony Flanagan and Martina Sinnott from Raheen. Magdalen Rogers, Executive Director, NAI and Dr Petya Mihaylova, Consultant Neurologist, Tallaght Hospital also endorsed the appeal to the HSE to act.

Mr Flanagan, who is living with Multiple Sclerosis, described his experience.

 “I was diagnosed with MS 44 years ago in 1980 when very little was known about the condition. My wife and I were very worried at first as even my doctor knew nothing about it. I started receiving treatment in Dublin and have travelled there for treatment ever since. I was lucky enough to have been in the Army when I was diagnosed and was looked after well, they provided transport to any medical appointments I had in Dublin.

"Others living with neurological conditions are not as lucky. The cost of travelling to Dublin regularly for appointments places huge financial strain on patients and their families. I don’t drive and after I retired, I needed to use a taxi and train to get to my appointments in Dublin. The fatigue from travelling, treatment and the appointment can knock you for days after. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

“People living with neurological conditions feel invisible, we’re being denied our basic right to access to healthcare. I’m currently the Chairman of the Laois Offaly MS Society branch and in my experience, having access to consultant neurology services would hugely benefit the lives of people living with neurological conditions in Laois. The decisions our Government makes will have lifelong implications for people living with neurological conditions, that’s why we need them to act now,” he said.

The NAI Executive Director also spoke.

“Access to a consultant neurologist should not depend on where you live, yet people with chronic long-term neurological conditions are regularly travelling between 60-112km to see their neurologist. We know that patients travelling long distances for treatment suffer poorer outcomes, from delays in diagnosis to living with debilitating symptoms," said Ms Rogers.

She continued: “Providing consultant neurology outpatient services in Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and regional hospitals across Ireland will not only have a positive impact on a patient’s overall health, but it reduces unnecessary admissions, reduces length of stay and unnecessary tests. Early access to diagnosis and treatment means that we can prevent disability, reduce complications and provide better quality of life for those living with neurological conditions. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

“Set out in Sláintecare reform, patients have the right to access services closer to their homes and our elected representatives have a responsibility to see this promise through. We are calling on elected representatives in Laois and the HSE to commit to delivering these services for the over 860,000 people living with neurological conditions across Ireland," she said.

The campaign calls on elected representatives to provide outpatient consultant neurology services in Bantry, Letterkenny, Mayo, Portlaoise, and Wexford to reduce the journeys required for those living with neurological conditions.

The Neurological Alliance of Ireland, the national umbrella for neurological charities, together with 23 of its member organisations is asking people to take action for local neurology services. The Patient Deserve Better campaign is a joint initiative supported by Roche Products (Ireland) Ltd.

Visit www.patientsdeservebetter.ie for more information about the campaign.