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 PRESS RELEASE MARCH 15^TH

Government must address critical gaps in multidisciplinary staffing in neurology services. That's according to the Neurological Alliance of Ireland which today published a report "Resourcing of Neurology Services in Ireland Five Years on: 2015-2020" based on a survey of clinicians from 12 neurology centres across Ireland.

 The survey was conducted between November 2020 and January 2021, in collaboration with the National Clinical Programme in Neurology. When compared to the findings of the last nationwide survey in 2015, there was some progress in addressing regional gaps in consultant staffing but there has been a deterioration in a number of areas, including: 

· Multidisciplinary teams are understaffed in all 12 neurology centres and are entirely unavailable in some regions. Neurological clinical nurse specialists represent only 44% of what is required.

· In the last five years, the number of people on out-patient department waiting lists for a first-time appointment to see a neurologist has increased by 40 per cent. There are now 22,649 people waiting for an appointment compared to 13,529 in 2015.

 Speaking about the need to address critical understaffing, Magdalen Rogers NAI Executive Director said, "There are 800,000 people living in Ireland with a neurological condition. The lack of commitment to address serious gaps in staffing continues to impact significantly on outcomes for neurology patients.

"For example, we know that expanding and developing the role of clinical nurse specialists in neurology represents the way forward. They streamline patient care and play a vital part in educating patients and families about specific neurological disorders. In many cases, they prevent unnecessary hospital admissions. We have 44% of what is required."

The report also found neurorehabilitation services have deteriorated further since poor levels of access were reported in 2015. Ireland has less than half the number of inpatient rehabilitation beds required for the population and a dearth of long-term community supports at every level from community multidisciplinary teams to day services, vocational supports and transitional and long-term residential facilities.

Ms Rogers noted that the lack of investment in neurorehabilitation continues to impact significantly on long term outcomes for neurology patients and called for significant investment.

Ms Rogers said, "Two years on from publication of the Implementation Framework and a decade since the Neurorehabilitation Strategy was first launched in December 2011, only two additional community neurorehabilitation teams have been partially funded and there has been no new investment to develop community neurorehabilitation supports. Despite the redevelopment of the National Rehabilitation Hospital, fewer than 30 new neurorehabilitation beds have been brought into the system. All of this is worsened by curtailment of existing services due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The report also highlighted the important role the not-for-profit neurological sector play in the delivery of neurological care services in Ireland like specialist nurses; neurorehabilitation services; respite; day services and residential care; and counselling support for people with a neurological condition and their families.

Successive funding cuts; an ongoing shortfall in statutory funding to fund the true cost of providing services; and the collapse of fundraising due to the COVID19 pandemic means that the not-for-profit neurological sector is struggling to survive each year.

Speaking about the need to tackle the funding crisis among not-for-profit providers of neurological care, Professor Orla Hardiman, National Clinical Lead for Neurology said, "The vital importance of not-for-profit organisations in the delivery of everyday care for neurological illness in this country cannot be overstated. They contribute millions each year from fundraised income without which neurological care in this country could not be sustained. It is vital that the Section 39 organisations to be funded by the State to reflect the true cost of providing these services."

The report was published at an online event as part of Brain Awareness Week which takes place from 15^th to 21^st March. Speakers included Anne Rabbitte TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Disability; NAI Executive Director, Magdalen Rogers, Tom Scott, NAI Chair; Ava Battles, CEO, MS Ireland; Dr Jacinta McElligott, Clinical Lead for Rehabilitation Medicine; and Professor Orla Hardiman, Professor of Neurology and Clinical Lead for Neurology.

The theme of Brain Awareness Week 2021 is Promoting Access to Services for people with neurological conditions.