Laois among counties to top waiting list for Speech and Language Therapy

Counties in the midlands, including Laois, have the highest number of people on its waiting lists for speech and language therapy.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed to Independent TD Carol Nolan that CHO Area 8, which encompasses Laois/Offaly, Longford/Westmeath, Louth/Meath, has 3,962 patients awaiting Initial Assessment up to March 2024.

This contrasts most strikingly with CHO Area 1 (Donegal, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan, Cavan/Monaghan) which has a total of 852 people on its list.

Nationally there are just under 20,000 people on the HSE Speech and Language initial assessment waiting list.

With respect to the midland counties of CHO Area 8; when broken down by length of time, the HSE data provided to Deputy Nolan reveals that at least 774 people have been waiting for anything between one to two years for their initial assessment, while 2,361 people are waiting between 0-8 months.

“The data provided to me today is profoundly alarming given the significant developmental consequences that follow from a lack of timely access to speech and language therapy, especially for young children,” said Deputy Nolan.

“It is completely unacceptable and indeed a national disgrace that people are being left to wait years for an initial assessment never mind follow up therapy.”

“I am aware from previous engagements with the HSE on this matter that it has panels in place for speech and language therapists, but clearly whatever it is happening at that level in Offaly, Laois and the midlands region is not delivering.”

“We desperately need initiatives to reduce waiting times for children and families include sourcing therapy assessments and interventions externally via private service providers where necessary, at least for the short to medium term.”

“I will continue to engage with the Minister for Health and indeed the HSE to see what more can be done to address this major problem. I know from my constituency clinics that this is causing huge pain and frustration to parents and adults alike who urgently need intervention and therapy,” concluded Deputy Nolan.