Transfer of responsibility delayed roll-out of neuro-rehabilitation teams, says HSE boss

HSE ceo Bernard Gloster said four of the six neuro-rehabilitation teams countrywide are approved. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Delays in rolling out neuro-rehabilitation teams continue but “confusion” over 21 specialist nurses’ roles has been resolved, the Oireachtas health committee has heard.

Patients with epilepsy, stroke or traumatic brain injury are among those affected. 

HSE ceo Bernard Gloster was answering questions on commitments given around expanding these services.

Sinn Féin spokesman David Cullinane said it still not clear to patients when teams in areas including Cork/Kerry will be functioning.

In response Mr Gloster said four of six teams are approved and recruitment has started including for the south-west counties.

“Once they were in the national service plan for 2024 they were protected (from the recruitment freeze),” he said.

However, he added funding for two areas has not yet been allocated. 

He said previous commitments on staff had to restart through a control process due to financial difficulties for the HSE.

'Serious failure'

Social Democrats health spokeswoman Róisín Shortall described as “a serious failure” the fact 12 out of 21 funded nurse roles are still unfilled almost two years since the funding was announced.

They will treat patients with serious conditions including Huntington’s Disease.

Mr Gloster said he clarified just this week part of the confusion around this.

He linked it to a transfer of responsibility between the departments of health and Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth.

“I have now clarified where the origin of those posts is and they will be recruited,” he said.

“If people are available to fill them, they will be recruited, that’s the only delay. There won’t be a delay because of any pause or control issue.” 

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He said improvements in stroke and trauma care have “thankfully improved survival rates" among patients.

“However this has widened the gap between the demand and availability of specialist neuro-rehabilitation services for patients,” he added.

A new system — Managed Clinical Rehabilitation Networks — is being set-up. He also said mapping of in-patient bed numbers has been done to estimate gaps in that area.