Campaigners say community neurorehabilitation team is urgently needed in Louth

Neurological patients in Louth are being failed by the current shortfall in community neurorehabilitation teams in Ireland according to the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) who launched a new campaign today Tuesday, seeking commitments from elected representatives and the HSE to tackle the absence of a community neurorehabilitation team in CHO Area 8, which includes Louth 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. 

According to NAI, 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 8, which includes Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Louth and Meath, the group say there has been no commitment for funding to date for a community neurorehabilitation team.

At the campaign launch, Sorcha Boyle, from Ardee, Co. Louth, who is living with Multiple Sclerosis described her experience:

“I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2014, and the following year I had a severe relapse and spent 10 weeks in Beaumont Hospital, after which I was transferred to the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH). 

“It took me being seriously ill before I received the neurorehabilitation services I needed. People living with neurological conditions shouldn’t have to wait until they are very unwell before they receive the wrap around services they require. 

“Mentally, trying to engage and get access to the services we need is very disheartening and leaves you feeling completely disengaged with your care.

“Unfortunately, there is currently no support available in my community. Having access to a community neurorehabilitation team nearby would mean that people like me with Multiple Sclerosis, could take ownership of our own care, we could get access to rehabilitation services when we need them, and continue to live well within our communities. 

“We shouldn’t have to fight for these services. We need our represented electives and the HSE to take action now.” 

Also 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 as outlining the positive impact a community neurorehabilitation team can have on a patient’s recovery, the NAI presented a 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 euro. 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 Louth and the HSE to commit to delivering these services for the people of Louth. 

“There is still no funding in place for a team in the CHO 8 region. Having a team in place here would have a significantly positive impact on the lives of those living with neurological conditions in Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Louth and Meath.”

Dr Karen O’Connell, Consultant Neurologist at Tallaght University Hospital and Consultant in Neurorehabilitation at Peamount Hospital Dublin; and Dr Rosie Mangan, a person living with an acquired brain injury also spoke at the online launch event today.

The Patients Deserve Better campaign brings together over 22 non-profit organisations working with people with neurological conditions. The Patient Deserve Better campaign is a joint initiative brought to you by NAI and Roche Products (Ireland) Ltd.