Waiting Lists for Occupational Therapists

STATEMENT BY CLLR MICHAEL O’DONOVAN
Labour Party Representative for Dublin 15
January 9t , 2008

1,321 ADULTS & 140 CHILDREN AWAITING ASSESSMENT BY OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS IN DUBLIN WEST ALONE – MEANWHILE POSTS ARE NOT FILLED

"Once again the effects of the HSE embargo on recruitment and replacement of staff can be seen with figures obtained by my party colleague, Deputy Roisin Shortall, which reveal that nationally more than 26,000 people are awaiting assessment by an Occupational Therapist", Labour’s Michael O’Donovan has said.

"The role of an Occupational Therapist is vital in assessing the needs of people with mobility problems. Typically people needing assessment might be people who have suffered a stroke, people with disabilities and elderly people. Until an assessment is carried out people are not able to avail of a whole range of services which will enable the patient to maintain the highest possible level of independence. Throughout the country there are 183 OT posts unfilled while in Dublin West there are 7 posts which are not filled.

"In some cases people are waiting more than a year before being assessed. Despite there being a national recruitment campaign for occupational therapists early last year with more than 180 applicants being interviewed and a panel of 150 established, the posts were never filled because of the recruitment embargo.

"You only need to look at the figures for Occupational Therapists to realise the hardship suffered by many patients as a result of the recruitment embargo despite Minister Harney and Prof Drumm’s claim that patients were not adversely affected".

For more information contact Cllr Michael O’Donovan 087 2207798, or email
michael.odonovan@fingalcoco.ie.