Healthcare & Support Services
Welcome to this week’s episode of The Future of Disability Services on Clare FM.
People with disabilities can access a wide range of healthcare and support services, including HSE‑provided medical care, community supports, residential services, personal assistance, respite, therapies, and specialist disability services.
These are coordinated by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and cover medical, social, financial, mobility, and independent‑living supports, delivered through HSE teams, voluntary organisations, and national programmes.
Many people however may not be aware of what supports are available to them or what they are entitled to.
There can also be lengthy waiting times for some supports.
Madge O’Callaghan is an author and poet based in Kilbane in East Clare.
She has been an advocate for most of her adult life – first with women who experience domestic or sexual violence and later for people with disabilities.
Madge suffers from Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD and knows how difficult it can for a person with an illness or disability to get access to the services and supports that not only do they need but are also entitled to.
