In Europe, neurological disorders are the third leading cause of death and disability, and absolute numbers are expected to rise in line with our ageing population. In Ireland, around one in six people has a neurological condition. This Government is committed to working with relevant stakeholders, including the HSE, advocacy organisations and patient representatives, to strengthen key services and supports for people with neurological conditions. In March, I met with the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI), and a patient representative from their member organisations, to understand their priorities. Department of Health officials maintain regular engagement with the NAI and HSE National Clinical Programme for Neurology, working collaboratively to address priority areas.
The Government made significant investments for neurology services in Budget 2025. This contributed to realisation of the commitments in in the new Programme for Government specifically to complete the national rollout of HSE Community Neuro-rehabilitation Teams; to develop more regional inpatient rehabilitation beds; to implement community-based multidisciplinary rehabilitation services in every Region; to increase the number of neurology nurse specialists and to Increase the number of consultant neurologists. The Neurology Model of Care works towards increasing local and integrated neurology services and funding. Budget 2025 supported the expansion of services to parts of the country where patients currently face travelling long distances for neurology appointments.
Specifically, Budget 2025 provided €4 million for the recruitment of 5 consultant neurologists and an additional 25 whole-time positions to support the implementation of the Neurology Model of Care and the Hub and Spoke Model for neurology services. It is expected that this proposed Hub and Spoke model will enable a reduction in waiting lists, timely access to diagnosis and treatment and thus, improve quality of life and prognosis for people with neurological symptoms. The 25 whole-time equivalents, to support teams of nurses, and Health and Social Care professionals, are tasked with providing more care in an integrated way closer to people's homes. These posts will support the development of the Hub and Spoke model for Neurology services as well as disease specific pathways such as the first national Functional Neurological Disorder service at St. James Hospital in Dublin.
More broadly, the National Clinical Programme for Neurology is actively working on a Hub and Spoke model to guide equitable neurology services around the country to align with the new health regions and to tackle the gaps in neurology services nationally. and will deliver on the Sláintecare principle of delivering care closer to the patient's home. This model will include one model 4 hospital ‘Hub’ per Health Region, catering for the most complex neurological care. These sites will support model 3 hospital ‘Spoke’ sites who will provide services for people with less complex needs where efficient access to Hubs as required.
Many hospitals already have well developed neurology services, but funding received in Budget 2025 is an enabler towards delivery of Phase 1 of the Hub and Spoke model with new services to be developed at: Letterkenny University Hospital, Wexford General Hospital, Mayo University Hospital, Midlands Hospital, Portlaoise, and Kerry General Hospital.
I would like to acknowledge the role of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland for the work they do in representing patients across the country. The Alliance also works closely with the HSE in the development of services.
