DUBLIN – 17 November, 2011 – The Dublin Neurological Institute (DNI) at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital today announced that Elan (NYSE: ELN) has committed to providing €1.5million over the next five years to help it increase capabilities and patient access to the highest quality of neurological care nationally.
‘This is a fantastic commitment. We are delighted to have found a partner like Elan, a recognised global leader in neuroscience, who has a great sensitivity to the devastating effects that MS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease can have on patients and families,’ said Dublin Neurological Institute Clinical Director and Consultant Neurologist at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Professor Timothy Lynch. ‘We are enormously grateful to the commitment and support of Elan which will help us to expand our resources and increase access to a full complement of neurological care.’
Set up three years ago, the Dublin Neurological Institute (a registered charity) is a new, unique and innovative facility with links to the original Neurological Institutes in Montreal and New York. It provides a forward thinking and holistic approach to clinical and non-clinical care for patients with chronic neurological conditions that are not met by the private or public health service. The new neurology clinics, nurse-led clinics, drop in information centre, nurse-led infusion day ward and the availability of holistic treatments (e.g. acupuncture/relaxation therapy) have improved patient access, patient experience and treatment waiting times. Over the last eighteen months The Dublin Neurological Institute has seen over 2,500 patients in its new clinics. To date it has been funded largely by the Mater Neurological Appeal at the Mater Foundation.
Research &Education
Since its inception in 2008, The Dublin Neurological Institute has lead the way in research into neurological conditions with over 35 research papers published in neurology journals. Within the last six months, through research collaborations with the Mayo Clinic in the United States and British University Columbia, Vancouver, Canada it has contributed to the identification of two new genes that cause Parkinson’s disease. On an ongoing basis, The Dublin Neurological Institute attracts international medical students and post doctorate students to spend time at the Institute to learn clinical neurology.
Notes to Editors:
Neurological disease – Heart disease, breast, lung and colon cancer combined are big killers globally but what people do not realise is that stroke and neurological disorders top the pole in terms of mortality rates. There are over 700,000 people in Ireland with neurological conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Epilepsy, Migraine, Motor Neurone Disease and Spinal Injury. 44,000 patients receive a diagnosis of neurological disorder every year.
About Elan
Elan is a neuroscience focused biotechnology company committed to making a difference in the lives of patients and their families by dedicating itself to bringing innovations in science to fill significant unmet medical needs that continue to exist around the world. For additional information about Elan, please visit www.elan.com.
About The Dublin Neurological Institute (DNI) at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Established in 2008, the goal of the Dublin Neurological Institute is to provide a comfortable and informal setting for patients with neurological conditions including Epilepsy, Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, head trauma, Alzheimer’s disease and other typical forms of dementia. Patients, their families and carers can access information, clinical care, counselling and gain informal support. The Institute’s vision is to create a centre of excellence, whereby a multi-disciplinary, high quality and compassionate service is provided to all patients, public and private, suffering from neurological conditions throughout Ireland. The Dublin Neurological Institute aims to increase access and decrease the waiting time for diagnosis and appropriate treatments, but also to alleviate the growing pressure on Accident and Emergency Departments throughout Ireland.
The Dublin Neurological Institute has charitable status and though an independent entity works in collaboration and in close proximity to The Department of Neurology at The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. It is a centre of excellence where clinical care and research thrive together linking clinical service with the basic sciences at the Conway Institute, UCD to study neurological degenerative diseases (Parkinson’s disease, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease) and stroke, multiple sclerosis etc. More information on The Dublin Neurological Institute can be found at www. neurologicalinstitute.ie
About The Mater – November 15th 2011
The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital is the main charitable and voluntary general hospital serving Dublin’s north inner city. It is a university teaching hospital providing acute and tertiary specialist services.
The population of its local catchment area is approximately 170,000. The Mater hospital has approximately 600 beds (at full capacity) including day beds. Annually approximately 16,000 patients re admitted, including 9,500 emergencies. Annually approximately 48,000 patients attend for day cases and 48,000 attend the Emergency Department. Outpatient attendances exceed 200,000.
Major achievements include but are not limited to:
- Mater Campus Development is currently progressing. The agreed design / construction programme for the adult hospital will be completed and full handover takes place Spring 2012
- Heart transplant programme started in 1985.
- In 2005 1st lung transplant procedure ever undertaken in the State took place in the Mater followed by 1stdouble lung transplant in 2007;
- First major academic teaching hospital in Ireland to become accredited by the Irish Health Service Accreditation Board (IHSAB);
- PET / CT service opened in 2005 – private public partnership;
- In 2008 The Dublin Neurological Institute (DNI) established and opened by President Mary McAleese in September 2008.
- UCD Mater Clinical Research Centre was established in 2006, currently supporting a range of research projects. Among the research trials are studies of stroke, cancer, HIV, lung disease, diabetes and retinal transplantation;
- Designated site for the location of the new National Paediatric Hospital and relocation of the Rotunda hospital.
Free of charge Neurological Physiotherapy (GP Referral needed)
For all Mater Hospital neurology patients.
Facilitator: Grainne McKeown. To book an appt please contact tel: +353 1 8545038.