Sligo-Leitrim left without promised neuro-rehabilitation services, NAI says

The Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) recently met with Sligo-Leitrim TDs Marian Harkin and Frank Feighan to highlight the urgent need for a community Neurological Rehabilitation Team in the Sligo-Leitrim area. The meeting formed part of the launch of the NAI’s pre-budget submission.

According to the NAI, a fully staffed team for the North West was originally promised in 2019, and there was a further commitment to expand this team under the 2024 HSE Service Plan, however, this commitment has yet to be delivered.

As part of this year’s budget, the Alliance is calling for funding for four fully staffed community neuro-rehabilitation teams. 

This would fulfil the Programme for Government’s pledge to complete the national rollout of such teams. 

Currently, the North West region has funding for fewer than three posts, despite having a population size comparable to other areas with fully resourced teams.

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The meeting, held on Tuesday, June 24 at Buswell’s Hotel in Dublin, brought together Ministers Harkin and Feighan, individuals living with neurological conditions, and key advocacy leaders.

“This is crucial for people with neurological issues in Sligo-Leitrim, and the establishment of a rehabilitation team in the area would be of huge significance,” said Minister Harkin.

There are 860,000 people in Ireland living with a neurological condition.

In its pre-budget submission, the NAI is calling for the completion of the national rollout of community neuro-rehabilitation teams promised in the Programme for Government, through the funding of new teams in the Midlands, North Dublin, South East, and North West. 

The group is also urging the Government to begin delivering on its commitment to increase regional inpatient neuro-rehabilitation beds by investing in additional capacity in the Dublin Midlands and South West HSE regions. 

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In addition, the NAI is advocating for increased support to strengthen the capacity of the not-for-profit sector in providing and supporting neuro-rehabilitation services.

The group cited findings from a recent survey of 700 respondents, which revealed that 78 percent of people in the North West were unable to access neuro-rehabilitation services over the past year.

Leitrim man Eamon McPartlin, a patient advocate and NAI board member, spoke about the vital importance of access to neuro-rehabilitation teams. “For those living with a neurological condition, multidisciplinary treatment is so important including neurophysiotherapy, psychology and speech and language therapy – and for many they cannot receive this treatment locally, they’re having to travel huge distances to access the healthcare they need and are entitled to receive.”

He noted that the consequences of living with a neurological condition can often be more challenging than the condition itself. “In many parts of the country, for those living with a neurological condition a community neuro-rehabilitation team may be their only option to access the services they urgently need to support them in living a better quality of life,” he added.