Irish Raynaud's & Scleroderma Society

What we do

About the IRSS

The Irish Raynaud’s & Scleroderma Society (IRSS) was formed in 1988, and is a registered charity and a limited company. Funded by the generosity of volunteers and sponsors, we work constantly to help sufferers face two very challenging conditions. Two part-time employees are supported by a Management Committee of nine, and answer to a Board of Directors. We help people to live as normal a life as possible, to learn how to cope with Raynaud’s and understand their Scleroderma.

Every day, we offer support to:

• All those with Raynaud’s and/or Scleroderma in Ireland
• Their families and friends
• Our members
• The medical profession
• Healthcare professionals, such as therapists, carers, and hospice workers

We provide:

• Welfare assistance
• Nailbed Capillaroscopy Systems:  to date, full-size systems to 4 large hospitals and hand-held units to 9 hospitals with Rheumatology clinics
• Medical equipment when the HSE service is not sufficient or available
• Fuel grants to members
• Warmth products to members
• Help with insulation and home modification to members
• Welfare Rights Phone-in Service to members
• Our time and attention to all who ask

We supply our members with:

• Information leaflets
• Three advice lines
• Books on diagnosis & treatment for GPs in Ireland
• A warmth products mail-order service
• 6 newsletters per year
• Regional meetings
• Annual Patient Conference
• Access to expert opinion

How do we help patients?

• By increasing awareness
• By improving the rate of diagnosis
• By improving treatment through information to patients and medical professionals
• By offering support to those afflicted
• By keeping Ireland on track with current advances