Community neurorehabilitation team urgently needed in Kilkenny

Neurological patients in Kilkenny 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 5, which includes Kilkenny services.

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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.

Funding has been promised for a network of nine community teams around the country. In CHO Area 5, which includes Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford, Carlow and South Tipperary, no team has been funded yet.

Speaking at the launch, Magdalene 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 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 Kilkenny and the HSE to commit to delivering these services for the people of Kilkenny. There is still no funding in place for a team in the CHO 5 region. Having a team in place here would have a significantly positive impact on the lives of those living with neurological conditions in Kilkenny, Carlow, Waterford, Wexford and South Tipperary.”

At the campaign launch, Mary Casserly, from Wexford, who is living with Parkinson’s Disease described her experience,

“I was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s Disease at 53. I didn’t know anything about the disease and I didn’t know where to turn. I found it difficult to get useful information on Parkinson’s Disease that was relevant to early onset.

“Early intervention is key when you receive this diagnosis. We need physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, nutritional advice, occupational therapy, and psychological support, to give us the skills to live well with Parkinson’s Disease. Having a team in place in the community would allow people living with Parkinson’s Disease to have a sense of ownership of the management of the disease.  People living with a neurological condition need timely access to rehabilitation. We shouldn’t have to fight for these services. We need our represented electives and the HSE to take action now.”

Professor Ronan Collins, National Clinical Lead for Stroke also spoke at the online launch event.

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.