BABIES AND SMALL CHILDREN WAITING FOR OVER 6 MONTHS FOR OPHTHALMOLOGY APPOINTMENTS IN CAVAN MONAGHAN - Cllr Sarah O'Reilly
55 children from 0 to 4 years of age are waiting for over six months for Ophthalmology appointments in Cavan Monaghan according to most recent figures.
Aontú Cllr Sarah O’Reilly, a candidate for Cavan Monaghan in the upcoming General Election says the figures were made available following a PQ to the Minister for Health from her party leader, Deputy Peadar Tóibín.
According to the figures released by the Department there is a total of 209 young people, up to the age of 18 waiting for Ophthalmology appointments.
Cllr O’ Reilly says
“Young people’s eyesight is deteriorating while they’re waiting to be seen, and this is totally unacceptable. We know that there is a severe shortage of Ophthalmologists in this country, and this is having severe consequences on patients”.
“We have fabulous Optometrists and unlike our counterparts in other European countries, we don’t utilise their services as much as we perhaps could. These people are highly professional , well trained and well equipped practitioners and we know that there are eye procedures they could be taking on which would help alleviate pressure on waiting lists”.
“Optometry Ireland has previously stated that it would like if its members were utilised more and called on the HSE to consider it” .
“It makes huge common sense all round. These professionals are already in situ and would provide a far more accessible and cost effective service for patients”.