Rehab Matters launches in Northern Ireland

Launching the Rehab Matters campaign, the CSP is challenging the reality that too often, patients leaving hospital are unable to access high-quality rehabilitation services to continue their recovery and regain their independence, with devastating consequences for some.

Waiting too long for vital rehabilitation – or missing out entirely - can reverse recoveries and cause lasting damage to a person’s quality of life.

The warnings from the CSP coincide with the release of a short film in conjunction with Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke, called Rehab Matters which contrasts the experiences of a patient who receives physiotherapy after leaving hospital with one who misses out

Speaking at the launch event in Stormont, Catherine Burke, CSP NI Board Chair said,

'We are very pleased to have the support of Chest Heart & Stroke Northern Ireland as part of this campaign launch particularly at a time when health and social care services are undergoing significant transformation here.

This campaign will help shine a spotlight on an area of healthcare that is often overlooked and ensure that no one misses out.

Too many people are left facing a distressing future dependent on health and social care when access to high-quality rehab could have made an enormous difference to their life.

It is a hidden scandal because it takes place in people’s homes, away from the public glare, which so often falls on hospital pressures. ‘But it’s one that as a nation we must address to stop the system wasting so many lives for entirely avoidable reasons.'

The main speaker at the launch event is Constable Clodagh Dunlop who will share her inspirational journey and personal experience of recovery from locked-in syndrome and how rehabilitation services has helped her in her recovery.

Introducing the main speaker, Fiona Greene, NI Chest Heart & Stroke, Director of Services said,

'Clodagh’s story shows the vital importance of good community physiotherapy input. For many patients this input means that they are now thriving, not just surviving'.

Note to editors

Notes to editors

The CSP's new campaign #RehabMatters highlights the importance of community rehabilitation and can be viewed at this location www.csp.org.uk/rehabmatters.

For further information contact:-

Tom Sullivan, Public Affairs & Policy Manager

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy NI

0777 965 1939 or email sullivant@csp.org.uk