Child psychology appointment delay
Deputy Cronin raises the case of an 11-year-old waiting three years for a psychology appointment and says the family has faced delays and poor communication. Minister Donnelly says he will examine it if it is a primary care case and asks for the details.
I raise the case of an 11-year-old constituent of mine who has been three years waiting for a psychologist appointment. That is over a quarter of her young life waiting for an essential service while she struggles every day at home and at school. The HSE ignored her parents' complaints so I escalated it to the regional manager. They wrote saying they will schedule an appointment for May. I asked for the day and time and received no reply, nothing. Now a parents' appointment has been offered, which the family did not want but will take because they are desperate. What is going on with the HSE? What planning is being done to address leave and professionals who are leaving? How much more suffering can this child be expected to endure?
Comment on this
If the child is being referred for primary care psychology, that falls under my remit. If the case is more severe, it might fall under the remit of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, in terms of the children's disability networks.
Comment on this
If it is in my remit - it is mild to moderate and a primary care referral - will the Deputy send me on the details? I will look into it and revert to the Deputy with a note.