The Neurological Alliance of Ireland welcomes the announcement today from Anne Rabbitte, Minister of State for Disability of two additional Community Neurorehabilitation Teams for CHO areas 2 and 4. HSE CHO area 4 covers Cork and Kerry while CHO 2 takes in counties Galway, Roscommon and Mayo. Access to community neurorehabilitation teams is vital to support recovery and prevent disability across a wide range of neurological conditions. Community neurorehabilitation teams provide short term intensive rehabilitation input (up to 12 weeks) from multidisciplinary services including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, social work and neuropsychology. 

Speaking today, NAI Executive Director Mags Rogers said "In Budget 2023, Minister Rabbitte announced that her department was funding two additional community neurorehabilitation teams. Today's announcement is important in clarifying where those teams will be located. Putting these teams in place is vital to support people living with neurological conditions throughout the South and West of Ireland.

The 2019-2021 Implementation Framework for the National Neurorehabilitation Strategy, a key commitment in the current Programme for Government, recommended the establishment of a network of nine community neurorehabilitation teams around the country, one in each CHO (Community Health Organisation) area. The Neurological Alliance of Ireland Patients Deserve Better campaign, supported by 22 charities, is calling for a community neurorehabilitation team to be established in each CHO area in line with the Neurorehabilitation Strategy.

Representatives from the Neurological Alliance of Ireland will highlight this ask, and outline the importance for neurological patients of having access to a community neurorehabilitation team when they appear in front of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health in the coming week.

The press release from Minister Rabbitte's department can be read in full HERE

To find out more about the NAI campaign for community neurorehabilitation teams visit www.patientsdeservebetter.ie