Group calls on government to introduce neurorehabilitation teams in Limerick

SIX YEARS on from the government commitment to deliver nine fully funded community neurological rehabilitation teams across Ireland, the rollout has been beset by delays including in Limerick, which is still without any access to a team.

That’s according to the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI), the national umbrella body for 40 neurological organisations.

The group recently met with TDs and Senators at Leinster House, to call for their renewed commitment in delivering on the targets outlined in the 2019 Neurorehabilitation Strategy.

As National Brain Awareness Week marks its 20th year running from March 10 to 16, the NAI underscores the urgent need for dedicated community neurorehabilitation teams to address this critical issue.

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“There is now a significant regional inequity for patients in Limerick who are unable to access the existing understaffed community neurorehabilitation team,” said a spokesperson.

“The Mid-West region is only funded to fill half of the necessary staffing positions it requires, resulting in a year-long waiting list to access vital services.”

The National Neurorehabilitation Strategy published in 2019 committed to delivering specialist community teams and long-term neurorehabilitation services across the country, as well as addressing the shortfall of 171 specialist inpatient neurorehabilitation beds.

Magdalen Rogers, CEO of the NAI said: “Neurorehabilitation is a vital service to enable people in Limerick with neurological conditions to live their day-to-day lives.

“We're calling on the government to announce a commitment to funding four community neurorehabilitation teams in this year’s budget. We want to see this commitment during their first 100 days in office, to send a clear signal they intend to deliver on the pledges within the Programme for Government to complete the national rollout of community neurorehabilitation teams.”

The group also want to see the government “developing more specialist inpatient rehabilitation beds and implement community-based multidisciplinary rehabilitation services in each HSE Regional Health Authority Area”.

NAI is calling for funding in the upcoming Budget for full community neurorehabilitation teams for the North West, North Dublin, South East and Midlands, promised in 2019.