The Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI), the national umbrella body for over 30 neurological organisations, met with Roscommon-Galway Oireachtas members at a pre-Budget event held last week at Buswells Hotel in Dublin.
Members raised concerns about a ‘postcode lottery’ where access to critical services is dependent on where you live.
Representatives from Roscommon-Galway that attended the event included Denis Naughten TD.
Specifically, the NAI called attention to the lack of neurology services in regional hospitals; the two community neurorehabilitation teams promised in 2019 that are yet to be delivered; and further serious staffing shortages in two existing community neurorehabilitation teams. The organisation has two key asks for Budget 2025:
- The delivery of fully resourced community neurorehabilitation teams for the midlands/northeast and southeast regions, and to tackle the staffing shortages for existing teams in the midwest and northwest.
- The provision of access to a Consultant Neurologist in five regional hospitals in Bantry, Letterkenny, Wexford, Mayo and Portlaoise.
Speaking at the launch, Magdalen Rogers, Executive Director of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland said, “The theme of our pre-Budget submission this year is ‘Right Place’, meaning that access to care should not depend on where you live in Ireland.
“We’ve seen very welcome investment in recent years by this Government in neurology services and community neurorehabilitation teams but it is still falling short in meeting the needs of those living with a neurological condition in this country.
“It is critically important that people in Roscommon-Galway and other regions are not placed at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing these services.”
Eamon McPartlin, a patient representative living with Function Neurological Disorder (FND) and Dystonia from Manorhamilton, Leitrim said, “In the northwest we are at a huge disadvantage when it comes to accessing neurological services.
“The existing community neurorehabilitation team in HSE area CHO 1 is funded currently for less than a quarter of the staffing it should have and is only available to people living in Donegal. This means that the service is not available for most people living in the region. We were hoping to see funding for this team in 2024 and it didn’t happen, it’s now critical that funding is provided in the upcoming Budget so we don’t lag behind the rest of the country.
“Similarly, the neurology service in Sligo University Hospital is completely overstretched trying to provide outreach to Letterkenny University Hospital. A dedicated Neurologist in Letterkenny University Hospital would have a huge impact on the lives of those living with a neurological condition in the region.”
The Neurological Alliance is a coalition of neurological charities which advocates for developing and resourcing services across the spectrum of neurological diseases and neuro-disability. For more information visit: https://www.nai.ie/
