As proud members of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI), IHF support this important campaign – Patients Deserve Better. The nationwide campaign is calling for a network of community neurorehabilitation teams throughout the country. Despite the publication of a national framework in 2019 which recommended nine neurorehabilitation teams, one in each CHO (Community Health Organisation) there are only two teams up and running.
Community neuro-rehabilitation teams are multi-disciplinary teams that provide vital care to support recovery and prevent disability for people with neurological conditions, many of these conditions will be life-limiting and progressive. Community specialist neuro-rehabilitation services are distinct from disability and other community and residential services which do not have a rehabilitative focus.
There are considerable benefits for neurological patients in having access to a community neuro-rehabilitation team. For people living with acquired conditions such as stroke and brain injury these teams allow them to leave hospitals quicker to continue their recovery at home. For people living with progressive conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease access to these teams can help prevent unnecessary disability and hospital readmissions.
Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI), together with their member organisations, advocate for the rights of 800,000 people in Ireland living with a neurological condition which can affect the brain and spinal cord.
The campaign is off to a strong start with over 40 parliamentary questions submitted by TDs in support of the campaign by mid December 2022, just weeks after the campaign launched at the end of November 2022. This month (January 2023) will see the campaign concentrate on CHO 5 (Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford, South Tipperary) followed by a series of further regional launches as the campaign moves throughout the country.
Find out more by visiting www.patientsdeservebetter.ie and follow the campaign on social media #patientsdeservebetter @naiireland