Over 3,680 children in south Tipperary were on waiting lists for therapies this summer

More than 3,680 children in south Tipperary were on waiting lists for therapies in July of this year with the Ophthalmology treatments accounting for 45% of the backlog.

The number of children on HSE waiting lists for a range of therapies has been condemned as “shameful” by Tipperary South Labour General Election candidate Cllr Michael ‘Chicken’' Brennan.

The figures supplied to Cllr Brennan through a parliamentary question tabled by the Labour Party have prompted the Killenaule man to call for “immediate action” to address them.

This included removal of what he described as HSE “recruitment embargos by stealth” and the abandonment of the HSE and Department of Health’s Pay and Numbers recruitment strategy.

A total off 3,683 children, aged between new-borns to 17 years-old, were waiting for therapy treatments or assessment appointments in July, according to the figures obtained by Cllr Brennan.

The therapies include Audiology, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Ophthalmology, Physiotherapy and Speech & Language Therapy. There was no waiting list for Podiatry treatments.

The Ophthalmology or eye care therapy list was the longest by far.

There were 1,652 children waiting for Ophthalmology treatments with children aged up to four years the most impacted.

A total of 932 these very young children were waiting up to a year for Ophthalmology treatment.

There were 401 children on the primary care Psychology waiting list with 77 children aged between 5 and 7 years waiting up to a year for treatment.

Cllr Brennan said these waiting list figures show, once more, a sector in total crisis.

“From the lack of therapy being offered to families awaiting a first time intervention and the retention and recruitment chaos that frontline workers are dealing with on a daily basis, it is now time for the Government to step in at the highest level,” he declared.

The Killenaule man said the operation of early intervention treatments and therapies is not “an office play thing” to have between the HSE and the Government.

Cllr Brennan also said he believed the waiting list figures are higher than stated. 

“These are just the reported figures we have to hand, which do not appear to be getting resolved.

“We need to ensure we have the frontline therapists in primary care and across the CDNT ecosystem also."
Responding to Cllr Brennan’s criticisms, the HSE said it was fully committed to providing care to all eligible patients, with priorities decided in accordance with greatest medical need.

Ophthalmology service

In relation to the long waiting list for Ophthalmology services, the HSE pointed out that it is currently recruiting a replacement community ophthalmologist to serve south Tipperary.

“Provision of community ophthalmic services will continue, once an appointment has been made,” said the HSE.
 Community Psychology Service

The HSE explained the Primary Care Psychology service provides a psychological assessment and therapy service for children aged 0-18 years who experience a mild to moderate, social, emotional or behavioural difficulties. 

“In order to manage the increasing waiting lists, a number of initiatives are in place including an increased use of group therapy where clinically appropriate and psycho-educational workshops.”

The HSE pointed out that waiting lists are influenced by both demand for service and capacity to deliver.

“Efforts to fill vacancies through the recruitment process are continuing.

“To assist with meeting the demand for access to Psychology services, a play therapist has been contracted to provide services as deemed appropriate by the psychologist.

“In endeavoring to deliver services within available resources, the HSE apologies to all of those waiting on services.

“The HSE is actively trying to fill vacancies, in order to ensure a resultant positive impact on waiting times and lists,” the statement concluded.