... Madam, - Thank you for alerting your readers to the dire lack of neurologists in our public health service (March 30th). You might be interested to know what our health authorities are doing whilst stroke victims, Alzheimer carers and multiple sclerosis patients wait two years for their initial appointments. Each of Micheál Martin's ten health boards have set about appointing Irish Language Officers to take up residence in their burgeoning communications departments.
Their job description is to increase the amount of Irish being used by staff and to provide courses and opportunities for them to improve and learn their language. This measure should have a dramatic and powerful effect on neurology appointments - henceforth patients are not expected to wait any longer than dhá bhliain. - Yours, etc.,
Dr MAURICE GUÉRET Member of Eastern Regional Health Authority, Mimosa Lodge, Fortfield Road, Terenure, Dublin 6w