Devastating Delays in DBS Surgery: Read Our Letter to The Irish Examiner

People with Parkinson’s in Ireland are facing devastating delays for life-changing surgery. In a recent letter to the Irish Examiner, our Director Joe Condon shines a light on the urgent need to address the 16-month waiting list for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) — a vital treatment that can transform lives.

A Personal Commitment to Change

Joe was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson’s in 2012, after what began as a routine GP visit for a cough. His doctor noticed a tremor — a moment that changed everything.

That experience sparked a deep commitment: ensuring no one faces this diagnosis alone and advocating for better care and treatment for others walking the same path.

Today, Joe’s voice carries a message that cannot be ignored.

“Current waiting times of 16 months or longer are unacceptable…”

In his letter, Joe highlights how prolonged waiting lists risk denying patients access to a life-changing intervention. When assessments expire due to delays, they must be repeated — doubling the workload for medical teams and leaving patients to decline further while waiting for surgery.

“When waiting times exceed six to eight months, assessments expire and must be repeated — doubling the workload for overstretched teams, wasting resources, and leaving patients to decline further during their window of eligibility.”

Deep Brain Stimulation is most effective early in the disease course, when it can help people maintain independence, manage symptoms, and protect quality of life. A 16-month delay can mean missing that crucial window.

The Expertise Exists — What’s Missing Is Action

Ireland has the skilled professionals and proven treatments. What’s missing is timely access and the resources to deliver care when it matters most.

As Joe writes:

“The expertise exists. The patients are waiting. What is missing is action.”

At EOPD.ie, we stand firmly behind this call. Access to timely, effective treatment is not a privilege — it’s a right.

Read Joe’s Full Letter

Devastating delays in Parkinson’s disease surgery

By Joe Condon, Director, Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease Ireland

We wish to draw urgent attention to the devastating delays facing people with Parkinson’s disease in Ireland who are awaiting Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery.

Current waiting times of 16 months or longer are unacceptable and risk denying patients a vital, life-changing intervention.

In 2022–2023 alone, €2m was spent outsourcing DBS surgeries to the UK. This imposes financial, physical, and emotional strain on patients and families, while diverting funds away from strengthening Irish healthcare services.

Each DBS assessment requires three to four full days from a multidisciplinary team. Regardless of whether patients travel from Donegal, Kerry, or elsewhere, they must come to Dublin for this intensive process.

When waiting times exceed six to eight months, assessments expire and must be repeated — doubling the workload for overstretched teams, wasting resources, and leaving patients to decline further during their window of eligibility.

Timing is critical. DBS should be completed early in the disease course to ensure patients gain the maximum benefit and quality of life. A 16-month wait means that Parkinson’s may have progressed to a stage where DBS is no longer a viable option. Early intervention is essential — delays risk leaving patients with irreversible decline.

There is a clear solution. As Catherine Moran, the country’s only neurosurgeon providing DBS, has outlined, funding an updated neurosurgical robot could double the number of surgeries performed per day, reduce theatre times, and deliver intervention at the right moment — before families are forced to watch their loved ones deteriorate beyond hope.

As a small charity run by volunteers living with Early Onset Parkinson’s, we have long advocated to keep DBS assessments in Ireland. Now, we find ourselves pleading to ensure that DBS surgeries — an essential, proven treatment — also remain accessible here at home.

We should not have to request for this vital treatment to be available in Ireland.

The expertise exists. The patients are waiting. What is missing is action.

– Joe Condon
Director, Early Onset Parkinson’s Disease Ireland