Polio - The Late Effects Reality

RECOMMENDATIONS

The recommendations arising from this report are that:

1. Poliomyelitis be recognised by Government as a Long Term Neurological Illness and be included on the Long Term Illness List, in the same way as others, i.e. Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy.
2. An individual who has experienced a paralytic episode of Poliomyelitis and has been diagnosed with LEP/PPS be entitled, in her/his own right in the first instance, to a Medical Card.
3. The Department of Health and Children establishes multi-disciplinary centres of excellence in the diagnosis, management and treatment of LEP at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Cork University Hospital & University College Hospital, Galway.
4. Such centres of excellence contain an advisor from the Post Polio Support Group, funded by statutory authorities, to advise on rights and entitlements to benefits and allowances.
5. Each and every Community Care Area (or successor body) has, at least, one Occupational Therapist and/or Physiotherapist trained in LEP and its management.
6. Those in receipt of aids and appliances be given full and proper training in their use.
7. Benefits relating to mobility are not linked to the age of the applicant or recipient.
8. Benefits relating to electricity, gas entitlements be given to all those in receipt of a clinical diagnosis of LEP/PPS, regardless of age.
9. Public servants dealing on a one to one basis with applicants or recipients of State derived benefits, allowances and grants, should be given disability awareness training.
10. The Department of Enterprise launches an investigation into the pricing differential of aids and appliances in Ireland compared to neighbouring EU countries.
11. The Post Polio Support Group establishes a peer support/counselling network.
12. The Post Polio Support Group seeks funding from statutory agencies for a national awareness programme on LEP and that a survey be commissioned to study the effects of LEP on asymptomatic Polio Survivors.
13. The Post Polio Support Group extends its international links to disseminate the findings and recommendations of this survey