Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022
843. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the progress or otherwise in the implementation of the Neurorehabilitation Strategy 2019-2021; the number and dates of all meetings of the implementation group held to date; the current status of this strategy; if he will take steps to refocus his officials on this important strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18128/22]
View answerI have referred this question to the HSE to provide an answer regarding the number and dates of meetings of the Neurorehabilitation Strategy Implementation Group.The Programme for Government – 'Our Shared Future’ - includes a commitment for advancing neuro-rehabilitation services in the community. The Health Service Executive is leading on the implementation framework in respect of the recommendations of the National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015.The Neuro-Rehabilitation Strategy Implementation Framework (IF) was launched in February 2019.
The overarching aim of the Strategy is the development of neuro-rehabilitation services to improve patient outcomes by providing safe, high quality, person-centred neuro-rehabilitation at the lowest appropriate level of complexity. This must be integrated across the care pathway, and provided as close to home as possible or in specialist centres where necessary. These services are to be configured into population based managed clinical rehabilitation networks (MCRNs).
Funding was approved to support the introduction of a managed clinical rehabilitation network demonstrator project. The focus of the demonstrator project is the development of post-acute and community neuro-rehabilitation services across CHO 6 & 7. In terms of service provision, this is where the gap is most evident in terms of demonstrating a Network model.
Disability Services Community Healthcare area 6 are currently working on the recruitment process, capital funding for the service has already been received and the location for the Community Neurorehabilitation Team (CNRT) has been identified. Disability Services Community Healthcare area 7 are working with Primary Care to identify the location & governance for the Community Neurorehabilitation Team in this area.
There has been tangible progress with the focus and trajectory of the MCRN in the development of the post-acute and community neurorehabilitation teams and services. The implementation of a 10 bedded neurorehabilitation unit in Peamount has improved timely and early access to post-acute specialist rehabilitation services for patients with complex disability including those neurological complications associated with severe COVID infection from the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. These new beds introduce some 3,500 additional specialist rehab bed days per annum into the system and are expected to reduce the NRH waiting list by over 30%, and take direct referrals from AMNCH, SJH, SVUH, Beaumont & the Mater for patients with neurological conditions.
