Patients not getting neurology care

[Posted: Mon 27/02/2012 www.irishhealth.com]

Only one in six people needing specialist rehabilitation for neurological conditions are getting these services, according to the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI).

It says the HSE's latest data shows that in 2010, just 2,510 out of 15,000 people needing this type of specialist rehab care for conditions such as spinal cord injury and stroke received this treatment.

According to NAI Chairman Chris Macey, these chronic service deficits were an indictment of Ireland's neurological care services.

He said in addition to the gaps in rehabilitation services, people who have been denied specialist treatment are also missing out on community care because of severe cuts to services provided by neurological charities.

A survey of NAI's 32 member organisations have shown that continuing funding cuts have had serieious effects on services, and these include the closure of vital community rehabilitation programmes and home-based rehabilitaiton.

See also www.nai.ie