Ms Richelle Flanagan:

The number of people seeking appointments has increased so exponentially that private neurologists cannot take them on either. We also have neurologists who are leaving the public service because of the pressure that is on them. We know that many people with Parkinson's disease are crossing the Border to gain access to neurology care. That is not sustainable in the context of their condition.

I will give my own theory in terms of cancer, diabetes, heart disease or one condition. Obviously, there are many different types of cancer. If someone has a rare cancer, what happens if he or she is not told that he or she will not be seen for four years? There are many different types of neurological conditions. Neurology seems to fall through the gaps because there is no one person looking at this and saying it is not acceptable that patients must wait. In addition, people's health deteriorates as they are left on these lists. In respect of Parkinson's disease, there was one lady last week who was diagnosed by a GP five years ago. She has only seen a neurologist once in the last three years. That a crazy situation is storing up more problems for the health system.

In terms of neurologists, we know that it is a matter of research. People who have access to neurologists tend to live longer and live with their condition better. So we have got to put the money into the service to deal with this problem.