New survey finds ‘critical gaps’ in Kildare neurorehabilitation services

TDs from County Kildare have been informed about a new survey which found "critical gaps" in neurorehabilitation services across the country.

The Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI), the national umbrella body representing over 30 neurological organisations, met with Kildare Oireachtas members at a pre-Budget event which took place earlier this week in Buswells Hotel, County Dublin.

At this event, NAI members raised concerns about neurorehabilitation services across the country, (including in County Kildare) following the publication of the findings, which came from the 700 participants. These participants also reported being unable to access neurorehabilitation services in the past 12 months.

In particular, the NAI raised what it believed to be the Irish government’s "slow response on neurorehabilitation services", which it claimed is "creating a postcode lottery and exacerbating health inequalities for those most in need".

The representatives from Kildare who attended the event, which included Aidan Farrelly TD (Social Democrats), Joe Neville TD (Fine Gael) and Naoise Ó Cearúil TD (Fianna Fáil), heard that gaps in neurorehabilitation services mean that a quarter of those surveyed for 'The Right Care in the Right Place: Access to Services for People with Neurological Conditions Across Ireland' report have never been able to access neurorehabilitation.

In its pre-Budget submission, the NAI called for investment in four community neurorehabilitation teams in order to deliver on the 'Programme for Government' commitment to complete the rollout of community neuro-rehabilitation teams across Ireland.

According to the NAI, the North-West, South-East, North Dublin and the Midlands have received no funding to date for teams which were initially promised in the '2019 National Implementation Framework for the Neurorehabilitation Strategy'.

Photographed at the launch of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland’s 'Pre-Budget Submission' event were Naoise Ó Cearúil TD, patient representative Derek Readman and NAI CEO Magdalene Rodgers. Photograph credit: Marc O'Sullivan

In addition, the NAI is also seeking funding for the provision of 45 regional inpatient neuro-rehabilitation beds across the South West and Midlands regions in order to begin delivery on the 'Programme for Government' commitment. It is hoped that this will help tackle the national shortfall of 175 beds nationwide.

Magdalen Rogers, the executive director of the NAI, welcomed the recommitment to deliver on promised neurorehabilitation services in the 'Programme for Government' which was published earlier this year.

However, she maintained that the longer the government falls short on its responsibility to patients, the greater the inequalities experiences across the country.

Explaining her view, she said: "The importance of community neurorehabilitation teams cannot be understated.

"The specialist service and care they deliver within the community for people with a wide range of neurological conditions is proven to reduce hospital stays by an average of three days per patient.

"These teams also play a critical role in avoiding further admissions to hospitals and long-term care.

Ms Rogers continued: "Two community neurorehabilitation teams to serve Kildare-Wicklow and South Dublin are due to come on board later in 2025.

"It is vital that these teams, promised since 2019, are delivered this year as promised."

PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT

She further said that back in 2019, the government committed to funding nine community rehabilitation teams.

However, to date, only five of those regional teams have been delivered and there remains gaps within those services.

Ms Rogers also said: "The '2019 Framework' also committed to creating 306 neurorehabilitation beds. A 2024 HSE report found there is a continued shortfall of 175 beds nationwide."

Speaking about the results of the survey (which she says were shared with the TDs who attended the event), she said that they "highlight the reality of these gaps in neurorehabilitation".

She added: "Behind these percentages is the reality of thousands of people throughout Ireland being denied the right to rehabilitation enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities."

Photographed at the launch of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland’s 'Pre-Budget Submission' event were Ken O'Flynn TD, Bernie Spellman, Joe Neville TD, and patient representative Derek Readman. Photograph credit: Marc O'Sullivan