The CEO and Chief Clinical Officer of the HSE answered queries from the Oireachtas Committee on Health today in relation to the rollout and funding for community neurorehabilitation teams and around timeframes for the implementation of the other key recommendations within the National Neurorehabilitation Strategy. 

Nine teams, one in each HSE CHO area, were promised in the Implementation Framework for the National Neurorehabilitation Strategy 2019-2021, a key commitment within the current Programme for Government. Teams are currently up and running in only two CHO areas.

The Neurological Alliance of Ireland presented to the Committee on May 17th, calling for funding in the upcoming Budget to fund teams in CHO areas where no funding has been allocated to date and for immediate action to progress teams in CHOs where funding has been made available. 

HSE representatives admitted there was a critical need to progress the rollout of the teams and outlined that they would be seeking funding in the forthcoming Estimates process to enable the remaining teams to be established. 

In response to specific questioning from members of the Committee, the HSE representatives acknowledged there was a significant need for the development of inpatient neurorehabilitation services to support the implementation not just of the Neurorehabilitation Strategy but also of the National Stroke and Trauma Strategies. The representatives outlined plans for the development of 4-6 units around the country with a minimum of 20 beds. 

View the recording of the HSE representatives responses to the Health Committee on May 24th HERE

You can view the recording of the NAI presentation to the Committee on May 17th HERE