Official Opening of Regional Community Neuro Rehabilitation Team

Community Neuro Rehabilitation Team covers Cork and Kerry with staff based in Tralee and Mallow

Minister for Disability Norma Foley today (November 24 2025) officially launched the HSE South West regional Community Neuro Rehabilitation Team.

The HSE South West Community Neuro Rehabilitation Team covers Cork and Kerry with staff based in Tralee and Mallow. It helps people after serious neurological illness or injury to improve health outcomes, reduce impairment and improve quality of life.

The Community Neuro Rehab team is a specialised rehabilitation service for people who have neurological conditions eg stroke, conditions following accidents or progressive conditions. The team is made of health professionals (see full list in the editor’s note) working together to help clients recover, improve health outcomes, reduce impairment and improve quality of life. The team has a base in Cork (the Gilbert Centre Mallow) and Kerry (at Baile Mhuire Tralee).

Launching the HSE South West team at an event in Kerry today, Minister Foley said “This is a landmark day for both Cork and Kerry as we officially launch the regional Community Neuro Rehabilitation team  – one of just three pilot teams across the country. The work of the team is transforming lives for people with neurological conditions, whether they have suffered a stroke, an injury or have a life-long condition. Locating one of these teams in this region means that the people of Cork and Kerry have access to the best possible care close to home, and when they need it. I have worked closely with the HSE to make this new regional team a reality, and I am delighted to see that there are clear support pathways in place for those who need them.”

Julie O’Neill, an Integrated Healthcare Area manager with HSE South West said “We are delighted to see the new Community Neuro Rehab Team up and running, and also delighted that they are working from two locations, one in Cork and one in Kerry. The team are changing lives for people who have suffered accidents, stroke or who have lost neuro function through illness. The support they provide allows people to regain lost independence. In some cases, their input means that people can live at home for longer. For others, the team’s support means they are now able to walk, to move around their own homes, and to lead full lives. I want to thank everyone involved in getting the team established.”

Angela O’Neill, Head of Disability Services, HSE South West, said “The team offers a short period of intensive therapy, usually over 12 weeks. Clients are usually seen two to three times a week during that time frame, and get specialist intervention in order to maximize their day-to-day functioning.”

Additional Information:

• Team members include a Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Rehabilitation Assistants and Administrative staff.  The CNRT provides a regional service from two bases: Baile Mhuire Centre, Tralee and the Gilbert Centre, Mallow.

• Neurological rehabilitation helps those with a neurological condition recover or improve function within their environment and the focus of CNRT is on achieving best outcomes for people by providing safe, high quality person-centred neurological rehabilitation in the community setting.