A new audit in Ireland found that over two-thirds of Parkinson’s disease patients had to wait longer than six months for a diagnosis, with some waiting up to 20 months to see a specialist. One-third of patients did not have access to a Parkinson’s disease nurse specialist. The audit also revealed delays in accessing care and lack of written information upon diagnosis. Recommendations included faster referrals, increased access to multi-disciplinary teams, and more nurse specialists. The charity Parkinson’s Ireland warned of potential cuts to services due to lack of funding. Only 10% of the charity’s income comes from the government.
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Patients waiting up to 20 months for Parkinson’s diagnosis
