Waiting times for speech and language therapy in Mayo 'shocking'
MAYO Fianna Fáil TD Lisa Chambers has described as shocking figures she obtained from the HSE regarding waiting times for children seeking speech and language therapy services in Mayo.
The Castlebar-based representative elaborated: “There are currently approximately 95 children in Mayo waiting for an assessment appointment for a speech and language therapist and the wait time is up to four months.
“Post assessment, the estimated wait time for initial therapy is up to eight months and for further therapy is up to eight months. These wait times are totally unacceptable given the huge importance these early intervention services have on the outcomes for children facing difficulties.
“Waiting for an initial assessment is extremely distressing for the parents and the child as they don't yet know what they are dealing with but then to be looking at moving onto another waiting list after you've been assessed and waiting up to another eight months for initial therapy is nothing short of a disgrace.
“This means that for many children in Mayo trying to access services, by the time you get assessed and receive your first therapy session you could be looking at waiting a year.
"Once they pass this initial assessment children are divided into three categories, priority 1, 2 and 3 with 1 being high priority and 3 being low priority, which may provide an explanation to some parents as to why they are waiting so long.
“Across all three categories there are approximately 500 children in Mayo waiting to see a speech and language therapist. I am very uncomfortable with children being categorised in this way as I believe that regardless of the level of severity of the condition of the child, every child is a priority and should be treated as such.
“How can we arbitrarily decide to make one child wait an inordinate amount of time, limiting their outcomes, whilst pushing another child ahead? We absolutely need more resources for speech and language therapists, services like this can make the difference between a child being able to go to school and progress or a child falling behind."
"There are three vacancies for staff grade speech and language therapists in Mayo but these vacancies have only existed since the summer of this year so even with those additional three post being filled, the level of staffing is unlikely to be sufficient to meet demand and tackle the long waiting lists which have been growing for some time.
“I want to make it clear that those working in the service work very hard and provide a fantastic service once you access them, but we need to tackle these waiting lists and that can only be done with more resources and more therapists.
“Children at this important developmental stage need full and proper supports, a year long wait for initial therapy is not acceptable in this day and age. I hope to see such services prioritised in budget 2018 and an adequate health budget to tackle waiting lists."