The government must fund a clear and viable solution to reducing long waiting lists for patients in need of groundbreaking surgery for Parkinson\u2019s Disease, according to Social Democrats TD P\u00e1draig Rice.<\/p>\n
Deputy Rice, who is the party\u2019s health spokesperson, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cDeep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a life-changing intervention that can dramatically improve the quality of life for people living with Parkinson\u2019s Disease. However, current waiting times of 16 months or longer for the procedure is putting patients at risk of losing access to this essential treatment.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo deliver maximum benefit, DBS must be carried out in the early stages of the disease \u2013 but long waiting lists are pushing patients beyond the point where the surgery is still effective.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt present, Ireland only has one neurosurgeon performing DBS. In the two-year period from 2022 to 2023, more than \u20ac2 million was spent outsourcing these surgeries to the UK. This creates significant financial, physical, and emotional strain on patients and families who must travel abroad, while diverting funding away from developing sustainable capacity in the Irish healthcare system.<\/p>\n
\u201cA clear and viable solution is staring the government in the face. Funding for an updated neurosurgical robot would double surgical capacity, reduce theatre time, and ensure patients receive timely intervention.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite previous assurances from the Minister for Health that such equipment would be approved if the evidence supported it \u2013 and with trials of the robot in Beaumont and the Mater Hospitals now coming to an end \u2013 there is still no guarantee it will be funded. The Department of Health has stated that decisions will be contained within the forthcoming 2026 National Service Plan, while offering no firm commitments for patients currently in need.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople living with Parkinson\u2019s cannot wait for another cycle of reviews and reports. The evidence for funding the neurosurgical robot is clear and compelling. The government must act now to expand DBS capacity so that no patient loses access to a proven, life-changing treatment due to avoidable delays.\u201d<\/p>\n
Social Democrats councillor Caroline Winstanley (Bray West), who first brought this issue to the party\u2019s attention, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a volunteer-run charity made up of people living with the condition, Early Onset Parkinson\u2019s Disease Ireland should not have to plead for access to a treatment that already exists in Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cFamilies are watching their loved ones decline while the system stalls. Timely DBS surgery can restore independence and dignity. Funding this equipment is not optional \u2013 it is essential. We owe it to patients to provide this treatment here at home, without forcing them abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n
November 26, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The government must fund a clear and viable solution to reducing long waiting lists for patients in need of groundbreaking surgery for Parkinson\u2019s Disease, according to Social Democrats TD P\u00e1draig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party\u2019s health spokesperson, said: \u201cDeep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a life-changing intervention that can dramatically improve the quality of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":12553,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,642,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-padraig-rice","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n