New neurology centre offers broad support network for patients and their families
A SUPPORT centre for people living with neurological conditions finally opened its doors earlier this year after a two-year delay.
The Neurology Support Centre at Molloway Place in Ballinode had its official opening in July, offering support not only for those with neurological conditions but also for family, friends and colleagues and carers.
The Neurology Support Centre has very much built itself around a large local community being involved in active advocacy, the Sligo Public Participation Network, housing steering groups as well as developing partnerships with Sligo Credit Union, ATU Sligo and Sligo University Hospital.
The centre was founded several years after the establishment of the Northwest Neurological Centre in 2013 by the late Declan Walsh after his wife, Dr Natalie Murphy, suffered a serious brain injury.
Declan – who passed away in 2021 – had wanted to establish a drop-in centre where people could meet groups on a regular basis.
Bernadette Crilly, director of services at the centre, said: “Declan had spoken about how people experiences conditions such as PML (Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) needed a place they could turn to where they could find a community of people who share a similar neurogolical condition and form a support network out of their own experiences. “Our aim is to be a first-stop shop, so that whatever your condition you can contact us for advice and support. There are many fine organisations in Ireland representing the interests of those impacted by specific neurological condition such as MS, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, stroke and Huntington’s. We support and supplement the work these organisations perform and can advise on any available national and regional supports.
“We are also aware of those impacted by a rare neurological condition, where there is no national organisation for support. We are particularly keen to support all those who don’t know where else to turn when faced with the impact of any neurological condition.”
The emphasis on such support groups comes from a very real place as patients often don’t wan’t to burden their families with their fears, while families may not feel they can offer the adequate support and advice to the patient. Bernadette said: “Although neurological conditions take many different forms, they share many common features and raise many similar issues for those affected.
“At the Neurology Support Centre, our wish to to provide support to everyone impacted. Contacting us could be the first step in easing your mind, and sharing the burden.
“Neurological conditions are similar in some ways but broadly different in others. Before someone avails of the centre a meeting will be set up after the first contact to find the support group which is best suited to that particular person and get to see the premises. It can be daunting to take that first step, but we want people to see that they are entering a warm, inviting atmosphere here.
“One comment we hear frequently from organisations and people dealing with neurological issues, is the lack of social outlets for people living with the impact of a neurological condition.
“Despite the best intentions of medical and other support personnel, sometimes the best comfort comes from talking to others who are in the same situation as you, and understand exactly what you are dealing with.” Commenting on the feedback the centre has received from service users, Bernadette said: “The feedback has been tremendous, the weekly groups are very popular.
“They are an outlet for people to look forward to every week while the advocacy groups has given members here a focus on something proactive as they shine a light on the challenges of people whose conditions are visible as well as those who conditions are not as visible.”
The Neurology Support Centre can be reached by calling 071 918 0318 or emailing info@neurologysc.ie.
LEFT: The families of Declan Walsh and Dr Natalie Murphy at the official opening of the Neurology Support Centre earlier this year. ABOVE: Inside the centre.
ON Monday next, October 10, events will take place across Ireland and further afield to mark World Mental Health Day. As part of the activities taking place, Sligo Traveller Support Group are hosting a coffee morning from 11am-2pm at their office in Cranmore in Sligo (F91Y59C). People from all communities are invited and encouraged to call in on the day for some tea, coffee and a chat. Organiser and mental health worker with Sligo Traveller Support Group Jamie Murphy said: “The issue of poor mental health is something that has impacted every home and family in this country directly or indirectly.
“For us, the issue is of particular importance with suicide rates for the Traveller Community shown to be at least eight times higher when compared to the general population.
Murphy, looking ahead to the event, said: “Coffee mornings like these can seem like something small but often the impact of meeting with someone for tea and a chat can often have a hugely positive impact on your mental health.
“We are encouraging as many people as possible to call in to our office on Monday next in Cranmore for as long or as short time as they like for some nice tea, buns and hopefully a few laughs as well.”