Neill O’Neill
IN the absence of regular physiotherapy sessions, Bernie Hoban and several others – mostly people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – are trying to get proactive and help themselves.
They have weekly yoga sessions in Westport Leisure Park and hope to be able to get some special equipment installed there. However, Bernie cannot stress the importance of physio enough, and says that having a dedicated and properly-equipped community physiotherapy room in a local health centre would benefit patients in several ways.
“I got physio in the MacBride home this week and using the equipment there is incredibly good for your body,” she said. “Equipment is much better than passive exercise. As my mobility failed, I began walking with a stick, and then began using a walker and now I am in a wheelchair a lot of the time. But you need physios and occupational therapists to teach you the correct methods of doing simple things correctly, even at this stage. Part of what is wrong with me is my posture and I need someone who knows about the muscles and the body to help me. Basically, you need a professional and you need continuity with this professional.”
While having this equipment and the therapists to administer treatment are essential, Bernie also feels that all treatment should be conducted in a centre where everyone can avail of it. Such centres and equipment, she contends, are needed all over the country and Bernie also feels that the physiotherapists themselves are getting demoralised, as they can’t get into their work in the way they would if they had an established practice room.
“The therapists waste a lot of time going from house to house and if they had a base where patients came to them the process would be much more efficient and money would be saved,” she said. “It would also be better for the patients as part of the whole process is getting out of the house and going to these sessions, from both a physical and social aspect.”
Bernie also feels that these centres should facilitate doctors, physios and occupational therapists working together, but laments that even though such dedicated rooms exist in health centres like those in Louisburgh and Mulranny, there will soon be no physio to work in them.
