The long awaited new national rehabilitation hospital got the go ahead yesterday.

While significantly smaller than the orginal proposal, the new 120 bed replacement will mean a significant improvement in the facilities available to people with spinal cord injury, acquired brain injury and other neurological conditions. The work is expected to be completed in the next 3 years.

NAI welcomes this as a much needed development to address Ireland's chronic track record in relation to rehabilitation services. We continue to have the lowest number of consultants in medical rehabilitation in Europe and our services lag far behind what is routinely available in other countries.