Children waiting up to 13 years for primary care assessment
Previously, the HSE had bracketed all children who had been waiting for longer than one or two years into one overall cohort when detailing the length of time that they were waiting.
The new figures, delivered to Social Democrats TD for East Cork Liam Quaide in response to parliamentary questions, show that close to 19,000 children aged up to 17 have been waiting for longer than two years for an initial psychology, occupational therapy (OT), or physiotherapy assessment.
For the first time clarity is given as to just how long waiting lists in some parts of the country have extended to, including:
A child waiting 13.6 years for a psychology appointment in Dublin North West
A patient waiting 9.7 years for an occupational therapy assessment in Dublin North
A wait of 8.7 years for an OT assessment in Meath
The figures show that of the four disciplines in question psychology is the worst affected.
Mr Quaide, a clinical psychologist, said that the crisis in primary care services has 'flown almost entirely under the radar', in contrast with the scrutiny applied to similar issues seen with the HSE's network of Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNTs).
'The core of this crisis is a failure by successive governments to invest in staff over many years. It stems from a political ideology that views the staffing of our essential services purely as a cost, not as an investment,' he said.
The HSE said it "recognises the need to address waiting lists, and this is reflected in our commitment to developing the provision of community services through the newly established Health Regions, in line with Sláintecare".
A spokesperson said: "This involves a significant restructuring in how services are delivered to ensure that integrated care is provided equitably and efficiently for those who need it.
"In 2023, the rate of referral for therapy services grew by 7% nationally, and increased by a further 1% in 2024. The increased referral rate is particularly notable in physiotherapy, psychology and audiology.
"Numbers seen in 2024 are comparable with 2023, however, the rate of referral, remains a challenge Children's services by their nature are more complex in presentation and require more attendance compared to services for adults.
"It should be noted that when children transfer from specialist disability services to primary care, waiting time is calculated from the date of the original referral.
Read More
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Consultant backs initiative between HSE and Parkrun on participation for those living with Dementia
Parkrun in Sligo and Leitrim are welcoming people living with Dementia, their families and carers to take part in their local runs. The HSE and Parkrun Ireland have recently launched a Dementia Friendly Parkrun Manual. The manual reflects Parkrun's ongoing commitment to removing barriers to participation and promoting physical, social, and mental wellbeing for all. Speaking about the initiative, Professor Paula Hickey, Consultant Geriatrician Sligo University Hospital said: 'I am delighted to support the Dementia Friendly Parkrun Manual. 'This is a valuable initiative to create a welcoming space for people living with dementia, their family, friends and carers. 'Maintaining an active life with social engagement is such a fundamental part of living well with dementia, this practical action can make a big difference and helps promote inclusive friendly communities.' Parkrun Ireland have been working with HSE Health and Wellbeing for many years supporting and driving engagement in physical activity. The new initiative is designed to make parkrun's across the country more welcoming and inclusive for people living with dementia. People with dementia or family members who are caring for a person with dementia may consider taking part or volunteering in their local parkrun as a good physical or social activity. Doing things with others and taking part in worthwhile activities can improve the quality of life of people living with dementia. It may also slow the development of dementia. Parkrun is a safe and friendly way to get regular activity. Whether walking, jogging or running - anyone can join in. Parkrun is a free weekly run, jog or walk for all, taking place on Saturday mornings at 9.30am. Its locations in Sligo and Leitrim are: Sligo Parkrun - Doorly Park, Cleveragh, Sligo Tubbercurry Trail Parkrun- Tubbercurry Trail, Ballina Rd, Rathscanlon, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo Glenfarne Wood Parkrun- Glenfarne Wood, Moneyduff, Co. Leitrim. Ballinamore Greenway Parkrun- Ballinamore Greenway, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim. The manual is available to order free of charge from (direct link:
Irish Independent
6 hours ago
- Irish Independent
2,500 Carlow customers hit with boil water notice due to presence of E.coli
Uisce Éireann has issued a boil water notice for customers supplied by the Bagenalstown public water supply. The notice is being issued to protect the health of approximately 2,500 customers due to the presence of in a regulatory sample. can cause a variety of health issues such as diarrhea, stomach cramping, pain or tenderness and nausea and vomiting in some people. Customers impacted include those in Parc Muire, Bagenalstown town centre, Borris Road, Saint Bridget's Crescent, Father Cummins Park, Conway Park, The Long Range, Eastwood and surrounding areas. All customers on this supply are advised to boil water before use until further notice. Drinking water experts from Uisce Éireann are working to rectify the issues and lift the notice as quickly and as safely as possible, in consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE). 'Public health is Uisce Éireann's number one priority and we would like to assure customers that the notice has been put in place to protect public health,' said Shane Aylward, spokesperson for Uisce Éireann. 'We acknowledge the inconvenience caused to homes and businesses and would like to assure customers that we are working to resolve the issue and lift the notice as quickly and as safely possible.' Water must be boiled for: Drinking Drinks made with water Preparation of salads and similar foods, which are not cooked prior to eating Brushing of teeth Making of ice. Discard ice cubes in fridges and freezers and filtered water in fridges. Make ice from cooled boiled water. What actions should be taken: Use water prepared for drinking when preparing foods that will not be cooked (e.g. washing salads) Water can be used for personal hygiene, bathing and flushing of toilets but not for brushing teeth or gargling Boil water by bringing to a vigorous, rolling boil (e.g. with an automatic kettle) and allow to cool. Cover and store in a refrigerator or cold place. Water from the hot tap is not safe to drink. Domestic water filters will not render water safe to drink Caution should be taken when bathing children to ensure that they do not swallow the bathing water Preparing Infant Formula: Where a Boil Water Notice is in place, you can prepare infant formula from tap water that has been boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute) and cooled beforehand. Bottled water can also be used to make up infant formula. All bottled water, with the exception of natural mineral water, is regulated to the same standard as drinking water. It is best not to use bottled water labelled as 'Natural Mineral Water' as it can have high levels of sodium (salt) and other minerals, although it rarely does. 'Natural Mineral Water' can be used if no other water is available, for as short a time as possible, as it is important to keep babies hydrated. If bottled water is used to make up infant formula it should be boiled once (rolling boil for 1 minute and cooled in the normal way). Ready-to-use formula that does not need added water can also be used. Customers can check if their property is included by visiting the 'water quality section' of and entering the property's Eircode or by calling the Uisce Éireann's customer care helpline, open 24/7, on 1800 278 278.
Irish Examiner
17 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
HSE's most vulnerable patients cared for by temporary staff as agency spend surges to €726m
The most vulnerable patients in the HSE — including those with a disability, older people, and those using mental health services — are increasingly being cared for by temporary agency staff, startling new figures show. Staff shortages are so acute that the HSE has warned that at times it is unable to fill vacancies even with temporary staff as agencies are struggling to recruit health workers. A shortage of accommodation is among the reasons blamed. The figures reveal for the first time which patients are being left to the care of temporary staff amid criticism of the high spend on agencies — which came to over €726m last year alone. Most agency spend is on hospitals and services for older people Hospital spending on agency staff topped the table at €304.7m last year, followed by the €118.9m spent on older people's services. A further €106.3m was spent on agency staff for mental health services and €77.9m in disability services. Data for 2021 to May 2025 shows in each of these critical areas, the spending increased year on year. The spending on agency staff for older people's services almost doubled from €64.5m to €118.9m last year. Despite pledges to rein this in, this sector appears to be on track for a new record with some €52.1m spent already by May. Mental health and disability services People using mental health or disability services face long waiting lists as demand grows and these figures indicate temporary staff are being used to plug those gaps. Four years ago, disability services spent €40m on agency staff, last year it had jumped to €77.9m and, by May this year €37.2m was already spent. In 2021, the mental health division spent €71.5m on temporary workers. Last year it was €106.3m, and by May it had reached €48.5m. Agency bills are also ballooning in those areas which are expanding under Sláintecare plans to move healthcare out of hospitals to local communities: The Health and Wellbeing division, for example, spent €34.8m four years ago on agency staff, but last year the bill hit €324.3m and by May it stood at €106m. Even agencies struggle to hire staff HSE corporate finance general manager Sarah Anderson said hiring and keeping 'key staff is a constant challenge and impacts adversely on the ability to maintain safe and effective services'. She warned: 'At times the HSE have been unable to fill a vacancy even via agency. The agencies have indicated that they are experiencing difficulty in recruiting themselves due to a lack of availability and also accommodation availability and costs. There is a global health workforce challenge, she said, with agencies also covering sick leave, maternity leave, or filling-in during recruitment. The figures were released to Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane. 'Wasteful over-reliance on agency spending has long been an area identified for savings, yet we are still seeing year-on-year increases despite the Government's health productivity and savings taskforce,' he said. Pay and numbers strategy 'This increase is coming at the same time and, in my view, is directly related to the Government's arbitrary recruitment limits under the pay and numbers strategy.' This sets limits on staffing numbers and costs. It has been much criticised by health unions. Mr Cullinane warned: 'These staff are needed to provide essential services but they cannot be recruited directly, so the HSE is paying a premium price for agency workers instead.' He called for 'an ambitious and realistic workforce plan', saying 'strict targets to significantly reduce runaway agency spending' are also needed. Sinn Féin will propose this in an alternative budget, he added, describing the taskforce and strategy as 'sticking plaster solutions'.
