article: Patrick Morrison, professor of human genetics at Belfast City Hospital, hit out at the lack of specialist staff. He accused the government of "failing" patients with Huntington's disease. The condition is a rare, inherited and highly complex neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 120 people in Northern Ireland. Huntington's disease is caused by a faulty gene which progressively destroys the central area of the brain, affecting all aspects of the person's life including physical, cognitive and behavioural processes. "The current service is severely overwhelmed and understaffed," Prof Morrison said. "For such a tragic condition where the funding of NHS services by the government has not stepped up to the mark, this is failing families with Huntington's disease." The BBC has learned there are no dedicated specialist nurses currently in place across any of the five health trusts in Northern Ireland to care for patients with this chronic and debilitating condition. The Belfast Health Trust is the only Northern Ireland trust that has two dedicated Huntington's disease nursing posts. However, due to one nurse being off ill and another changing job, currently neither post is filled at present. About 120 men and women are affected by Huntington's disease, but the actual figure is believed to be higher as many cases are undiagnosed. Patients from as far away as County Fermanagh have been contacting the Belfast Health Trust asking for help. In a statement to the BBC, a spokesperson for the Belfast Health Trust said it "had difficulties recruiting a specialist nurse to work in this team". "We have actively encouraged existing staff who may be interested in applying for the vacant post," they said. "The post has been re-advertised. In the meantime we continue to do our best to meet the needs of our service users. "There is currently a proposal in process to secure additional funding for a regional manager which would further enhance the service." In the meantime, patients have told the BBC they are relying on their families and GPs for help. One of those patients is Anne Boyd, who lives in west Belfast. Diagnosed with the condition 11 months ago, Ms Boyd said she is learning to take one day at a time. "I began noticing a lot of changes," she said. "I was dropping things and falling over. "There was also a bit of a devil in me. I was nasty, hard to live with. I wasn't a nice person." Huntington's disease progresses at different rates. Those who have had it or have witnessed a loved one suffer have described it as being especially cruel, as it affects both the mind and the body. According to Ms Boyd, as her memory has been affected she can no longer read. Her concentration and mobility are also affected and as she is confined to her home a lot of the time, she also suffers from depression. "I get up every day not really knowing what it may bring," she said. "It is really hard and not just for me, but for my family. They need help too." According to Prof
summary: A leading expert in Huntington's disease has described the service for patients in Northern Ireland as being seriously overwhelmed.