CSP calls on politicians to commit to a Right to Rehabilitation in Northern Ireland

CSP Northern Ireland (NI) has been working with the Rehabilitation Alliance for Northern Ireland to organise a series of events, as part of our ongoing campaign for a Right to Rehabilitation to be included in the NI Executive’s next Programme for Government.

13 October 2022 - 11:11AM

CSP Northern Ireland host Right to Rehab event at Stormont 2022 — CSP Northern Ireland hosted a Right to Rehab event at Stormont. Pictured (left to right): Harry Harvey, MLA DUP, Pam Cameron, MLA DUP, Tom Sullivan, CSP’s public affairs and policy manager for NI, Paula Bradshaw, MLA Alliance, Colm Gildernew, MLA Sinn Fein.

Recent events have included a presentation in the Long Gallery at Stormont, sponsored by Alliance Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Paula Bradshaw.

This event allowed audience members, which included MLAs, Department of Health staff and representatives from across the health and social care system, to hear presentations from clinicians, service users and third sector organisations about the impact of community rehabilitation.

Some days later, CSP NI hosted a similar event at the Democratic Unionist Party Annual conference in Belfast, which was sponsored by the DUP health spokesperson Pam Cameron, MLA.

Both events included presentations from a number of Community Rehabilitation Alliance members, including physiotherapist, Dr Jonnie McCrea from Brain Injury Matters NI.

The Brian Injury Matters “Pedal Power” initiative supports people in Belfast with acquired brain injuries to get cycling and improve recovery and physical mobility. A video of the project was played at both events.

Calling for a commitment to a Right to Rehabilitation

Commenting on the lobbying carried out during both of these event, Tom Sullivan, CSP’s public affairs and policy manager for Northern Ireland said: ‘We were calling on politicians and HSC representatives to support investment in the provision of community rehabilitation services regionally and to commit to a Right to Rehabilitation as a fundamental element of our health and care system so that patients are able to access rehabilitation services where and when they need them.’

‘We were particularly pleased that although the Minister for Health was unable to make it in person to the Stormont event, he sent a letter supporting the aims and objectives of the Alliance.’