It’s claimed both young and old are being impacted by lengthy speech and language waiting lists in Clare.
New HSE figures show the number of children waiting over two years for therapy has more than doubled in the last year.
According to the HSE, there are now 1,245 children waiting for an initial speech and language therapy assessment nationwide, which is up 149% on this time last year.
Across Clare and Limerick county, there are now 841 children on the same waiting list, with 129 waiting longer than a year and 43 waiting more than two years.
Clare Crusaders Manager, Ann Norton says it’s not just the younger generation feeling the fallout of care backlogs.
A Clare Speech Therapist, meanwhile, believes despite the delays in care, the situation is improving and that a full restructuring of the healthcare system isn’t needed.
The National Council for Special Education, meanwhile, has set a target of recruiting an additional 90 occupational and speech and language therapists this year.
Claire O’Loughlin of Clare Speech Therapy says the sooner they see improvements the better.
Listen to the full interview here
