"Delays for speech and language therapy in Galway totally unacceptable" - Campbell
Aontú representative for Galway East, Joe Campbell, has called for speech and language therapy to be restarted in Galway city and county. His calls come as statistics released to Aontú from the HSE show huge jumps in the number of people waiting for treatment and assessment.
Mr Campbell said: "Aontú party leader Peadar Tóibín TD has secured statistics from the HSE which paint a damning picture of waiting lists in Galway. The numbers of people waiting for speech and language therapy has sky-rocketed. Those waiting over 12 months for initial assessment in the Galway region currently stands at 165. This compares with a figure of 36 last year, and 21 the previous year. There are currently 563 people waiting more than 12 months for initial therapy, this compares with a figure of zero last year and zero the previous year. In terms of those waiting between eight and twelve months for what is referred to as "further therapy", there are now 597 people on that list, compared to 26 in 2019 and 78 in 2018".
Mr Campbell continued: "I think we'd all agree that these statistics are cause for concern. Obviously Covid-19 presents a huge risk to all of us and public health guidelines are necessary, but we in Aontú believe that the health service needs to reopen immediately. We know a number of procedures and appointments have been cancelled this year with detrimental, sometimes fatal consequences. Cancer screening and treatment should never have been paused or delayed. As someone who has come through that illness myself I am acutely aware of the need for early detection, diagnosis and treatment. The waiting lists for speech and language therapy are but the tip of the iceberg. We need the service reopened as a matter of urgency", concluded Mr Campbell.
Call Joe – 086 842 35 48
Response from Frank Murphy to PQ 41502-20 SLT 5 year waiting list Galway Dep Toibin
