Special needs parents’ group keep pressure on

By Dionne Meehan

THE Special Needs Parents Network met with the HSE and Donegal’s local representatives last week to discuss the crisis in the Children’s Network Disability Teams.

The new group, made up of parents with children who have a disability and/or additional needs based in Donegal, are uniting together to effectively advocate for their children and their needs with a unified voice.

Established just one month ago, the group has 600 members.

Working as a community, they are advocating on behalf of parents and children on the caseload of the CNDTs (Children’s Network Disability Teams) which they believe are in crisis.

This comes after parents in east Donegal received a letter from the HSE confirming there were no services available for the 432 children on the case load.

The letter also warned how, despite actively engaging with HR, the HSE have been unable to recruit additional staff to fill the vacancies.

In respect of Speech Therapy, they have only one of three full time therapists currently in post and have to prioritise only those children with the “highest degree of complexity”.

Demanding answers at last week’s meeting, a survey asking group members what would help them now and in the short to medium term was rolled out and a report was compiled.

With a view that recruitment takes time but the children cannot wait, the group presented their four recommendations for emergency interim measures to the HSE.

These recommendations included a clear pathway for children to access essential equipment from the HSE during the staffing crisis, urgent redeployment of trained and experienced clinical therapists from other areas, provision of an interim emergency model to support children accessing private therapy and diagnostics and regular provision of therapeutic support and guidance for schools.

Following the presentation, the HSE committed to providing a clear pathway for children who rely on equipment from the HSE for communication and postural support within seven days and the other three measures within the next 30 days.

Delighted to see their report also referenced by Donegal’s local representatives in the Dáil on Tuesday last, a spokesperson from the Special Needs Parents Network said Minister Anne Rabbitte responded positively to the recommendations for emergency interim measures.

As the group now waits patiently for action, a follow up meeting has been organised for late November.

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