"Shameful": Over 4,670 Children Await Therapies In Kildare And West Wicklow, Senator Demands Action

Tuesday, 8 October 2024 10:31

By Martin Osborne

Senator Mark Wall said there needs to be immediate action from Government through the removal of recruitment embargos.

Over 4,670 children are awaiting therapies across Kildare and West Wicklow.

The figure has has been described as "shameful".

Speaking on Kildare Today, Kildare Senator Mark Wall said there needs to be immediate action from Government through the removal of recruitment embargos.

He has also called for an abandonment of the "pay by numbers" model being implemented by the HSE.

"The operation of early intervention is not an office plaything to have between the HSE and the Government," said Senator Wall.

He added: "The collateral damage is the families of the 4, 670 children awaiting therapies across Kildare and West Wicklow Local Health Office. 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."

"We have no child in Kildare awaiting audiology services, that to me is a red flag, especially from people I know are awaiting such intervention. In Cork, we've seen Audiology statistics centralised into one LHO, which fails to show the proper geographic spread and where resources should be directed," he said.

More from Local News

Kildare Council Shuts Down Push By Naas Mayor To Prioritise Certain Workers For Affordable Homes

Officials said introducing occupational preference could be considered discriminatory and may not comply with equality legislation, noting that national rules require affordable allocations to be based on income thresholds and housing need, not job titles.
Hours Apart: Laptops And Jewellery Stolen During Two Break-Ins At Homes In Kildare North

Gardaí are appealing to anyone who was in either area on Saturday and noticed suspicious activity to come forward.
GP Gaps Post-Pregnancy Flagged As Concern For New Mothers Across Kildare

Audio

Parts of Kildare are now among the worst areas in the country for access to a GP, according to new population-to-doctor figures.
€1.7bn Defence Plan: What We Know So Far After Curragh Camp Launch

Audio

Minister for Defence Helen McEntee launched the programme during her first official visit to the Defence Forces Training Centre at the Curragh Camp.
Healthcare Assistant Home Support Strike Risk: SIPTU Says Kildare Not Immune If Dispute Escalates

Speaking to Kfm News, Siptu Organiser Graham Macken said long-standing issues over pay, rostering and working conditions have not been addressed by the HSE, despite multiple national agreements.
Today Marks 40 Years Since The First Mobile Phone Call Was Made - What Was Your First Phone?

Audio

It's 40 years today since the historic chat between Pat Kenny and Jim Mitchell, who was Communications Minister in 1985.
Maynooth Station Overhaul Delivers New Lifts, Lighting And Improved Access

The upgrades are part of a wider national accessibility programme.
Defence Minister To Unveil €1.7bn Plan To Modernise Defence Forces As Espionage Threat Grows

Audio

The Institute of International and European Affairs and Deloitte warn an armed attack on an EU member is no longer impossible.