Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to take this opportunity to update the Deputy on the implementation of the National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland, which made a number of recommendations for services for people with neuro-rehabilitation needs. The programme for a partnership Government places a particular focus on a number of key programmes and strategies, including publishing a plan for advancing neuro-rehabilitation services in the community. Currently, a steering group led by the Health Service Executive social care division, with representation from the national clinical programmes for rehabilitation medicine and neurology and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, has drafted an implementation framework for the national policy and strategy for neuro-rehabilitation services. The draft framework is the subject of consultation at present.

Following on from the development of the neuro-rehabilitation policy and strategy, the HSE established the clinical programme on rehabilitation medicine. The scope of the clinical programme on rehabilitation medicine covers the whole of the patient journey from self-management and prevention through primary, secondary and tertiary care. It provides a national, strategic and co-ordinated approach to a wide range of rehabilitation services. The implementation framework will guide and oversee the reconfiguration and development of neuro-rehabilitation structures and services at national and local level.

The framework outlines the key issues, themes and considerations, particularly with reference to the necessary reconfiguration and development of community services within the HSE's community health care organisations and inpatient specialist rehabilitation services.

It is envisaged that implementation will involve reconfiguration and development of resources with the community health care organisations to establish specialist neuro-rehabilitation teams within each area as well as reconfiguration and development of specialist inpatient rehabilitation services. This is in line with the rehabilitation medicine programme model of care and national trauma policy and integration of all specialist rehabilitation services within what is envisaged as being managed clinical networks where each of the nine community health care organisations will establish local implementation teams. A neuro-rehabilitation network, based on a hub and spoke model, will serve population based areas of the country. Managed networks will link closely with the National Rehabilitation Hospital, community rehabilitation teams, primary care centres and acute hospitals in their areas.

Alongside these developments, the Government announced a major capital development of the National Rehabilitation Hospital. This will deliver a modern, purpose built hospital on the current site. It will have 120 inpatient beds and will include support therapies, paediatric and acquired brain injury wards, a hydrotherapy unit and a sports hall. A priority for the implementation of the recommendations of the national policy on neuro-rehabilitation services in Ireland will be to establish a structure and methodology to provide the development of neuro-rehabilitation services. This will include the reconfiguration of current service provision. Services will be developed by the HSE social care division and other relevant HSE divisions in collaboration with the national clinical programme for rehabilitation medicine. This will ensure appropriate planning, service delivery and governance for neuro-rehabilitation services.

I agree with Deputy Louise O'Reilly that it is not acceptable that 25,000 people are waiting for rehabilitation services. I listened carefully to what she said about Vera, the woman she mentioned.

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