“Midland counties top the national waiting list for Speech and Language Therapy”The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed to Independent TD Carol Nolan that CHO Area 8, which encompasses Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath, has the highest number of people on its waiting lists for Speech and Language Therapy. The HSE say that the total number of patients awaiting Initial Assessment up to March 2024 for CHO Area is now 3,962. This contrasts most strikingly with CHO Area 1 (Donegal, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan, Cavan/Monaghan) which has a total of 852 people on its list. Nationally there are just under 20,000 people on the HSE Speech and Language initial assessment waiting list. “The data provided to me today is profoundly alarming given the significant developmental consequences that follow from a lack of timely access to speech and language therapy, especially for young children,” said Deputy Nolan.

Source: Irish Independent May 10, 2024 01:09 UTC