MORE than 1,000 children in Donegal are awaiting assessments for Occupational therapy, Speech and Language therapy and Psychological Services Cllr Gerry McMonagle was told at lastweek’s Regional Health Forum.
The recently appointed chair of the HSE Forum had tabled the question to find out how many children were waiting on these services and what the waiting times were.
He was informed that on February 28, 160 children in the county are awaiting Primary Care Child Psychology Services with wait times varying from 12 to more than 52 weeks.
There are 580 children here awaiting Primary Care Speech and Language Therapy with the wait time varying between eight and twelve months depending on the area. The HSE told Cllr McMonagle that there are currently seven vacancies within this service at present.
The number of children in the county awaiting Occupational Therapy Assessment with waiting times ranging from 12 weeks to 52 weeks currently stands at 275.
The HSE informed Cllr McMonagle that the Primary Care Psychology waiting list had increased substantially since the introduction of the National Assess Criteria in July 2021.
Speaking to the Donegal News yesterday Cllr McMonagle described the delayed waiting times as “shocking”.
“I am informed there will be an outreach to the private sector in an attempt to reduce the waiting times. These services are very important in children’s development and the longer the wait the longer the problem. It is just not good enough,” Cllr McMonagle added.
“A significant number of children transferred from the Children’s Disability Services to Primary Care Services, leading to a 100 per cent increase in the waiting list,” the HSE replied.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)