Donegal's occupational therapy waiting list of 476 labelled 'a disgrace'

The fact that there are 476 people on the occupational therapy waiting list across Donegal has been branded “a disgrace” by a local councillor.  

Cllr Declan Meehan was speaking after obtaining the information at a Regional Health Forum meeting in Galway in late February. Figures also show that 316 patients in Donegal have been on the waiting list for more than one year. 

“This is a huge failing of the HSE considering the amount of people waiting on occupational therapy appointments and the amount of time they are left on the waiting list” Cllr Meehan said. “OT appointments and services are crucial when it comes to preventing falls, helping people get back to their homes, and keeping them there. This also has a huge knock-on effect on Housing Adaptation grants, provided by Donegal County Council, as an OT report is required for people to avail of these.”

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The information provided by the HSE shows that there are currently 11 vacancies in occupational therapy in Donegal: eight in primary care, and three in social care, which covers disabilities and older people. Two more posts are expected to become vacant by the end of April, leaving 13 posts vacant in total.

“Recruitment to these posts is absolutely critical if the HSE are serious about driving down the scandalous waiting times for people in Donegal,” Cllr Meehan added. "The HSE have told me that there is a rolling recruitment drive for these posts, and yet none of these posts are currently advertised. Nor have they been since I drew the HSE’s attention to the fact that they are not advertised on February 25. 

“The very basic step of advertising these posts would be a good place to start. If HSE management cannot even manage the basics of advertising the vacancies then what hope is there for people languishing on waiting lists?”.

Cllr  Meehan vowed to continue to raise the issue with the HSE until the waiting times start to decrease, and people get the care they need.