Rheumatology consultant ‘envisaged’ to start in September

Anton McNulty

A Rheumatology clinic in Mayo University Hospital is expected to commence before the end of the year after the HSE confirmed a third rheumatologist is expected to be appointed in Manorhamilton hospital.
Earlier this year, it was reported that a third Consultant Rheumatologist post was to be filled at Our Lady’s Hospital in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim and the position was to be advertised. The consultant was also to operate a clinic in Mayo University Hospital which is believed to be for eleven hours a week.
A spokesperson for the Saolta University Health Care Group, which covers the hospitals in the west and north west confirmed to The Mayo News that they expect the third consultant to start work in Manorhamilton in September and for the clinics in Mayo to commence ‘later in the year’.
“A candidate has been recommended for the third Consultant Rheumatologist post at Our Lady’s Hospital Manorhamilton following competition and interview and the final part of that process is currently underway. A start date in September is envisaged. Clinics in Mayo should commence later in the year,” the spokesperson for Saolta said.
Over 26,000 people are living with arthritis in Mayo and people with suspected arthritis can wait up to 18 months for a diagnosis. There are currently no rheumatology posts in Mayo University Hospital and arthritis patients in Mayo have to travel to Galway or Manorhamilton to receive treatment.
During a visit to Mayo in January, John Church CEO of Arthritis Ireland described the rheumatology services in the west of Ireland as ‘pretty awful’ and ‘neglected beyond reason’ compared to the rest of the country.
A spokesperson for the Mayo branch of Arthritis Ireland welcomed the confirmation a Consultant Rheumatologist will start in September and hoped a full staff team will also be available to the new consultant.
“We welcome that the new consultant will start in september and hope the clinics [in Mayo University Hospital] will start by the end of the year. We hope the relevant staff team of physio’s, nurses and occupational therapists will be recruited to assist the consultant in his or her role in Mayo University Hospital and ensure a full team work efficiently in 2017,” the spokesperson said.