Community neurorehabilitation team urgently needed for Mayo
NEUROLOGICAL patients in Mayo are being failed by the current shortfall in community neurorehabilitation teams in Ireland.
That’s according to the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) who have launched a new campaign seeking commitments from elected representatives and the HSE to tackle the absence of a community neurorehabilitation team in CHO Area 2, which includes Mayo services.
There are only two community neurorehabilitation teams in Ireland, despite nine teams being required, which is outlined in the Implementation Framework (2019-2021) for the National Neurorehabilitation Strategy. This means that only 15% of neurological patients in Ireland have access to teams that provide vital care to support their recovery.
In CHO Area 2, which includes Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, funding for a community neurorehabilitation team was announced in May 2023 and is now awaiting the establishment of a team.
Speaking at the launch, Magdalen Rogers, NAI executive director, said: “Once a person receives a diagnosis of a neurological condition, they need to be supported in their recovery and the management of their condition. That’s what a community neurorehabilitation team does.
“It brings together health care professionals from a range of disciplines such as an occupational therapist, a speech and language therapist, a physiotherapist and a clinical psychologist to enable a person living with a neurological condition to live well.”
As well outlining the positive impact a community neurorehabilitation team can have on a patient’s recovery, the NAI presented a clear economic rationale for urgently establishing the teams in the seven CHOs that do not have a team in place.
Ms. Rogers continued: “For every euro spent on a community neurorehabilitation team, the health service saves €11. Having these teams in place is vital in reducing the length of stay and delayed discharges and therefore freeing up beds in acute hospitals.”
“The support of neurorehabilitation teams is also proven to prevent unnecessary admissions to hospitals and improves the overall well-being and quality of life of patients with a range of neurological conditions. We have estimated that having these vital teams in place could save up to 42,000 bed days annually.
“We are calling on elected representatives in Mayo and the HSE to commit to delivering these services for the people of Mayo.
“We welcome the announcement by Minister Anne Rabbitte’s office in early May 2023 and are urging the Government and HSE establish a team without delay. Having a team in place here would have a significantly positive impact on the lives of those living with neurological conditions in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.”
Delia Costello, a patient representative who suffered a stroke, from Mayo, and Derek Readman, a family member of a Galway person living with Huntington’s disease, also spoke at the online launch event.