Deep Brain Stimulation treatment should be available for Parkinson’s patients in Ireland – Neville

Fine Gael Party Chairperson and TD for Limerick, Dan Neville, has highlighted the importance of making Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) procedures available to Parkinson’s patients in Ireland.

“Deep Brain Stimulation is a course of treatment most regularly made available to patients who are in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s disease. Over the past 20 years Deep Brain Stimulation has been found to be an effective course of treatment for these patients, who are no longer responding to routine medication or treatment.

“At present patients who are referred for Deep Brain Stimulation receive this treatment in the UK. I asked the HSE if there are any plans for this treatment to be made available in Ireland and their response explained that this is not likely to change due to the cost of treatment.

“The HSE outlined to me that a HIQA Health Technology Assessment carried out in 2012 determined that the current system where patients are referred to the UK costs less than a national service. However I believe that patients should be able to receive this treatment in Ireland without having to travel.

“Over 8,000 people in Ireland are suffering from Parkinson’s disease with one third of these in the advanced stages. Parkinson’s patients in the extreme cases lose independence and have major problems with movement. It is a huge inconvenience for people travel to the UK to receive treatment.

“At present there are no plans for Deep Brain Stimulation treatments to be made available in Ireland but Dr Tony O’Connell, National Director of the HSE Acute Hospitals Division, last week spoke to the Oireachtas Health Committee and said that the option of developing a DBS service in the Irish health System will be kept under continuous review within the context of the overall estimates process and other competing priorities. I understand that the Health Service is under severe pressure in many areas and that costs are a major concern. However, as the economy picks up and we look towards future Health Service plans, I believe we should consider changing how Deep Brain Stimulation Treatments are administered. This is something I will continue to pursue with Minister Varadkar and my Government colleagues.”