Health insurance income reduction 'continues to be a challenge' for rehabilitation hospital

Pictured at a special event celebrating Clontarf Hospital’s 150th anniversary were former staff members Pat Wells and Kathleen Browne. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

A reduction in health insurance income “continues to be a challenge” for a rehabilitation hospital in Dublin as it faces a growing demand for this care, its annual report shows.

Clontarf Hospital marked 150 years this week since its founder began caring for children with rickets and knock-knee at his home.

It now offers rehabilitation to adults only taking patients from a number of hospitals.

Some of those patients can avoid waiting lists for the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire where waits can reach 10 months for high dependency programmes.

The average wait for a place at the NRH is now four months.

Pictured at a special event celebrating Clontarf Hospital’s 150th anniversary were Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

Dr Geraldine Regan, chair of the Clontarf Hospital board, said the staff’s work last year meant “many individuals have successfully reclaimed their lives after life-altering injuries, illness and frailty.” 

The hospital is about “restoring hope and independence” to its patients, she added.

“Financially the hospital remains prudent although the reduction in VHI income continues to be a challenge for the hospital consistent with other hospitals,” she said.

Income from charitable activities was also slightly down at €27,588,704 last year compared to €26,364,616 the year before.

Chief executive Lorraine Kennedey said: “The need for specialist rehabilitation has never been greater.

People are living longer, surviving more complex illnesses and recovering from injuries that would once have been life-limiting.” 

The hospital saw a 22% jump in admissions in five years and a 29% increase in bed days used, she added.

It saw 1,573 patients last year with 152 beds in use. The average stay was 31.2 days.

Pictured at a special event celebrating Clontarf Hospital’s 150th anniversary were Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and staff. Picture: Marc O’Sullivan

Patients included 22 admitted on a specialist programme with neurorehabilitation and other care for adults with life-changing injuries from the Mater Major Trauma Centre.

Another 130 patients were transferred from Beaumont Hospital for support including amputee rehabilitation.

A number of hospitals sent 630 patients between them for orthopedic rehabilitation.

It also offer help for older patients through the ICPOP system (integrated care programme for older persons).

One group saw the time it took someone to stand up from a seated position reduce by 22.44 seconds on average during treatment.

Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill attended the anniversary event.

“Today (Clontarf Hospital) is a vital part of our health service, delivering specialist rehabilitation that not only improves outcomes for patients but also supports patient flow across our acute hospital network,” she said.

“The hospital’s consultant-led, multidisciplinary teams are helping people recover sooner, return home earlier and participate more fully in family, community and working life.” 

Dr Robert Lafayette Swan began treating children at his home on Usher Island in 1876 and over the years this work re-located several times before settling in Clontarf in north Dublin in 1942.

In Cork and Kerry the HSE Southwest is developing a rehabilitation centre in Blarney, this is already open for older patients.

It expects to have 50 beds for patients of all ages open by the end of this year.