Northern Ireland

Department of Health to carry out a regional review of neurology services

Department of Health permanent secretary Richard Pengelly
Department of Health permanent secretary Richard Pengelly Department of Health permanent secretary Richard Pengelly

THE Department of Health is to carry out a regional review of neurology services.

Department permanent secretary Richard Pengelly said neurology services had been under significant pressure and waiting lists had become unacceptably long.

The review will identify how, in the context of changing demand, services can be remodelled to improve the care pathway for the neurology service.

This will include consideration of improvements, scope for the development of new clinical roles and the potential to develop services through joint initiatives on a cross border basis.

It comes months after the unprecedented recall of more than 3000 former patients due to "safety concerns" around consultant neurologist Dr Michael Watt's work.