Almost 2,400 People Waiting Over Year For Speech And Language Therapy Initial Assessment

Almost 2,400 people have been waiting over a year for an initial assessment for speech and language therapy.

According to freedom of information figures, 231 have been waiting over two years.

A leading GP says it’s due to a lack of speech and language therapists in the community.

This therapy is common for adults who’ve had strokes – as well as children with speech issues.

Dr Martin Daly, a former president of the Irish Medical Organisation, says it’s vital treatment for all age-groups:

“Sometimes people think that speech and language therapy is simply for children but it’s also hugely important for the assessment and rehabilitation of adults who’ve had stroke and other neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease and Parkinson’s. And so, this is a vital service – it needs to be provided in a timely way”.