AQW 20341/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 10/01/2025
Answered On Date: 29/01/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the current length of the waiting list for the treatment of dystonia.

Answer:

Treatment of dystonia is primarily managed by the Regional Neurology Service at the Belfast HSC Trust.

Dystonia is not a single diagnosis but relates to a number of genetic and acquired disorders resulting in the movement disorder called dystonia. Depending on the suspected cause, patients may be graded as routine or urgent. Any suspicion of a potential underlying cancer diagnosis would result in a 2 week wait. In general terms movement disorders such as dystonia would fall within the urgent waiting time of 8 months for the regional movement disorder clinic. Most patients would receive treatment at the first appointment.