We are excited to share that Minister Norma Foley, TD launched our new five-year strategy during a recent visit to our Resource Centre in Castleisland, Co Kerry. The strategy, titled ‘Beyond Boundaries’, represents an ambitious vision for the future of our organisation and for the people we serve.

While the strategy affirms our long-standing mission to provide excellent, person-centred neurorehabilitation in the community for survivors of brain injury, a new focus will see us drive for development of neurorehabilitation services for those under 18 and over 65.

Speaking at the launch on 9th May, Minister Foley welcomed the new five–year strategy from ABI Ireland:

“There are clear commitments in the Programme for Government to complete the national rollout of HSE Community Neuro-rehabilitation Teams and to develop more regional inpatient rehabilitation beds. There are also commitments to provide community-based multidisciplinary rehabilitation services in every HSE Health Area and to increase the number of neurology nurse specialists and the number of consultant neurologists. We want to improve the rehabilitation pathway for survivors of brain injury, all the way from acute hospital to home.”

An estimated 19,000 people in Ireland acquire a brain injury every year. Through a range of community-based neurorehabilitation services, we support as many of them as possible to return to leading more independent lives.

Our Resource Centre in Castleisland, Co Kerry, provides group and cognitive rehabilitation in a supportive environment. Brain injury survivors from across the county gain peer support and are encouraged to nurture new interests and social connections.  Other services in the county include brain injury case management and access to clinical specialists in OT, social work and psychology. Though the Resource Centre and other rehabilitation services in Kerry are only funded to operate part-time, they have made a significant impact for those they have reached.

Damien O’Carroll, a survivor of brain injury and member of our Resource Centre in Castleisland, spoke at the launch about their recovery and rehabilitation journey:

“I recovered from the initial trauma, but when I was discharged from hospital I had to adjust to a completely different way of life. My memory and cognitive functioning were impaired. I had difficulty believing I had a brain injury and experienced a huge loss of self. I lost a great deal of confidence, and I felt very isolated.”

“I’ve met others impacted by brain injury who experience some of the same challenges I do. I take part in activities that support my rehabilitation, and it helps structure my week. My confidence is back, and I can see a meaningful future for myself again.”

Increased investment in the Resource Centre and other Kerry-based supports could deliver a much more comprehensive service, available to many more survivors in the county like Damien.

Over the lifetime of our new strategic plan, we will work to extend access to all our services, so that as many survivors as possible receive the support they need in the right place and at the right time. We will campaign for investment, build a strong organisation, and grow our expert staff teams to ensure we can maximise our impact.”

“It is clear to us that our partners in Government and the HSE understand the need for specialist, community-based neurorehabilitation. In our Kerry service, the Minister will have seen for herself the quality of the services we can deliver and the tangible benefits for those navigating the road ahead after a life-changing brain injury.

However, there is still a long way to go if we are to meet the needs of all survivors and families living with the lasting impacts of an ABI. Long-term community neurorehabilitation services in Ireland continue to be underfunded and under resourced. Each week, we meet people who have been discharged from hospital without the necessary information, support, or signposting to the services they need. We continue to see young survivors inappropriately admitted to nursing homes simply because there is no other option available.

We are committed to working with our colleagues in Government and the HSE to address these ongoing challenges.”

We would like to thank our Kerry team for hosting the launch and our Interim Local Services Manager for Cork and Kerry, Norina Nagle, who spoke on the day. Thank you to Siobhan Sweeney Smart also, who bravely shared her experience. Siobhan’s brother is living with an acquired brain injury and she discussed the impact this has had on her brother and their family. You can read our Strategy and view more photos from the day below.