Continued loss of speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy services for children and adults is having a huge negative impact while the HSE were brandished an “absolute disgrace” for their dealings of the services.
An “urgent need” for the HSE to reinstate the services was demonstrated by Cllr Susan Crawford (GP) at Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council. “Even with Covid restrictions, efforts should be made to arrange and maintain ongoing therapies virtually. To date, anecdotally many service users in children and adult services have been left without therapy services.”
A virtual resumption of the services would make a difference, the Inagh native outlined. The importance of early intervention in maximising the benefits of the services is waning, she warned. “Early intervention is key for all of them and being left without them is hugely impactful on all their lives”. She said the replies issued by the HSE at sittings of the Regional Health Forum West were “disingenuous and not factual”.
Her proposal was seconded by Cllr Mary Howard (FG) who believed the absence of the services was “very unfair”.
Matters have become “progressively worse” over the last 23 years, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) stated of the provision of such services. She recalled that when at the time of opening the Clare Crusaders Clinic, she was told it offered the HSE an ability to walk away. “I am inundated on a daily basis with parents looking to be part of the clinic so that they can get therapy, we are only supposed to be providing the service as an extra but unfortunately for many years we’ve been the only place providing therapy.
“This country when it comes to the HSE, they are an absolute disgrace, they have let us down hugely, I don’t know how many times I asked questions and listened to garbage handed out at the HSE Forum. The HSE need to start upping their game and start supporting people with disabilities,” the Barefield woman commented.
Her remarks prompted Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) to acknowledge the role of the HSE during the last twelve months, “they have worked hard to save lives, it is important to say that”. He said the return to school has made a visible difference for pupils and added his support to the motion.
Services must be reinstated, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) maintained. “This is very personal to me at the moment, our own little man is at that stage where he needs speech and language therapy. By the time you figure out where to go as an advocate for your child the time can often be lost. The development of a child is crucial”.
