Mayo patients facing delayed access to vital rehabilitation services

Patients in the west of Ireland are facing limited or delayed access to specialist neuro-rehabilitation treatment.

Highlighting the issue, Roscommon-Galway TD Dr. Martin Daly said: "Ireland face a 50% shortfall in neuro-rehabilitation beds nationwide with huge geographical disparities in bed availability, which ranges from 6.4 beds per 100,000 people to 45 beds per 100,000 people.

"This is resulting in unsuitable care settings and long-term dependency.

"This is both clinically inappropriate and economically unsustainable.

"The evidence is clear that specialised rehabilitation is the most cost-effective intervention.

"Data from intervention trials for sudden-onset neurological conditions, progressive or intermittent neurological conditions or limb absence show a significant reduction in dependency and ongoing care cost.

"The greatest savings are in the high-dependency group and the cost of intervention is recouped after only 16 months.

"This is in stark contrast to late intervention in non-specialised environments, which leads to significantly higher costs for the State.

"This is not simply a healthcare issue but an economic one.

"Investing in a dedicated rehabilitation unit in Roscommon University Hospital would be a proven, evidence-based solution that will improve accessibility and patients' outcomes, reduce long-term healthcare dependency and ultimately save the State millions in avoidable disability and ongoing care costs."