Latest news with #CDNTs
Irish Examiner
07-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Children waiting up to 13 years for primary care assessment
Children have been waiting as long as 13 years for a primary care assessment within the HSE, as new figures throw a spotlight on just how long waiting lists can go. 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
Irish Examiner
25-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Oireachtas Committee hears of autistic boy offered psychology appointment in Cork in 2030
Urgent attention is needed to support children's disability network teams (CDNT), the Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters has been told. It also heard one Cork boy faced a wait of five years and nine months for a psychology appointment in primary care. National Disability Authority (NDA) CEO Dr Aideen Hartney discussed its ongoing review of the CDNTs, saying its final report is due at the end of this year. She described this as an 'area requiring urgent attention'. The review is examining how effective the model is, and staffing levels. She acknowledged 'not all network teams are fully staffed as yet'. It is also looking at how plans to return therapists into special schools are proceeding. Social Democrat TD Liam Quaide queried why primary care services were not also reviewed. He described how a young autistic constituent was sent an appointment in January for September 2030 with psychology. The boy was later referred to his CDNT instead which also has a waiting list. NDA head of policy Dr Rosalyn Tamming explained they focused only on CDNTs as it would take too long to review two large services together. 'We will be talking to primary care and Camhs specifically around that referral process and how that's working,' she added. They have had feedback, she said, on waiting times, describing this as 'it's shifting waiting lists from one place to another place'. The HSE said last week it intends to streamline the referrals by bringing in a single point of entry for families by October. However, Dr Tamming indicated if this is to happen then a review of staffing is needed first as well as of how referrals can be shared.
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Meath East TD says children's disability services 'chronically understaffed'
Speaking in the Dáil last week, and coinciding with the 50 hour sleepout protest of 14-year-old campaigner Cara Darmody, Teachta Darren O'Rourke highlighted that there are staffing shortages within the region's four Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNTs). He said: 'In Meath, in CDNT 2 covering the Kells area, and CDNT 5 covering the Navan and Slane area, one in four therapist posts is vacant. Figures released to me by the HSE, confirm that to be the case. In CDNT 4, covering the Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin area, it is worse, one in three posts is vacant. In CDNT 6, covering the Trim area, it is worse again - almost two in three posts are vacant, or 62pc.' A children's disability network team provides specialised support and services for children who have a disability and complex health needs associated with their disability. The CDNT supports a child's development, wellbeing and participation in family and community life. 'There is a complete lack of capacity in the system, and it isn't a new development. It is a chronic situation, and it means children with disabilities cannot access the essential assessments and therapies that they need.' "It is simply not good enough. There needs to be an urgency from the government to fill these posts - not just in Meath but right across the state.' Mr O'Rourke added that the staffing gaps also hit primary care services. He revealed that since April 2022, 1.5 whole-time equivalent paediatric occupational therapist posts based in Ashbourne and Dunshaughlin are vacant, meaning there is no occupational therapist in that primary care service. 'It is a natural instinct for a parent to want to get every help necessary for their child to reach their full potential but the services simply aren't there,' the Sinn Féin TD said. "On Assessments of Needs (AONs), the government must stop breaking the law. Instead of proposing to change the law itself, they should invest in children's disability services, ensure we train and employ sufficient therapists to meet the obligations provided for in the DIsability Act. Children need assessments and they need therapies. Government are failing on both counts."
