'There is no local support'
An advocacy group for the rights of 800,000 people living with a neurological condition has said patients in Cork are being failed by the current shortfall in community neurorehabilitation teams.
That’s according to the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) who launched a new campaign on Tuesday seeking commitments from elected representatives and the HSE to tackle, what it said is, the absence of a community neurorehabilitation team in CHO Area 4, which includes Cork services.
NAI said there are 2 community neurorehabilitation teams in Ireland but 9 teams are required, which is outlined in the Implementation Framework (2019-2021) for the National Neurorehabilitation Strategy. This means, the NAI said, 15% of neurological patients in Ireland have access to teams that provide vital care to support their recovery.
CHO Area 4, which includes Kerry, North Cork, North Lee Cork, South Lee Cork and West Cork, is the catchment area for CUH which is both a national neuroscience centre and a designated major trauma centre. Despite this, the dedicated neurorehabilitation team promised in 2019 has yet to be delivered, said the NAI.
At the campaign launch, Ivan O’Regan, from Blarney, who is living with Parkinson’s disease described his experience: “Being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease was a massive shock, and I had no idea where to turn for help. Unfortunately, there is no local support available, and early intervention is crucial in managing the disease. With a team in place within the community, people with Parkinson's can take ownership of their care and receive timely access to rehabilitation services. We shouldn’t have to fight for these services. We need our represented electives and the HSE to take action now.”
Prof. Aisling Ryan, Consultant Neurologist at CUH and Dr John MacFarlane, Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine at Mercy University Hospital also spoke at the online launch event on Tuesday.
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.”
Ms Rogers continued: “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.”
She added: “We are calling on elected representatives in Cork and the HSE to commit to delivering these services for the people of Cork. There is still no funding in place for a team in the CHO 4 region. Having a team in place here would have a significantly positive impact on the lives of those living with neurological conditions in Kerry, North Cork, North Lee Cork, South Lee Cork and West Cork.”