Number of speech and language therapists in HSE’s disability sector declines despite need

The number of speech and language therapists employed in the HSE’s disability sector has fallen since 2011, although most children assessed as having a disability require speech and language intervention.

Figures provided to Fianna Fáil spokesman on disability Colm Keaveney show that there were 201 full-time equivalent speech and language therapists working in the disability service in 2011. At the end of January that figure had fallen to 193.

The number of full-time equivalent occupational therapists working within the HSE's disability sector also decreased in recent years from 236 in 2010 to 212 in January.

Intervention needed
This is despite 85 per cent of the 2,847 children who were assessed as having disabilities last year requiring speech and language therapy intervention, while 76 per cent required occupational therapy.

Although the number of speech and language therapists employed by the HSE at the end of December was 838 – an increase of 40 posts nationwide compared to December 2012 – this falls short of the 1,285 speech and language therapists the 2001 Bacon report recommended should be employed by next year.

The waiting lists remain stark: there were more than 13,000 waiting for an initial assessment in February of whom, 1,160 had been waiting more than a year.

The combined number of people awaiting initial therapy and further therapy was just over 20,000 in February. Of that figure 3,239 had been waiting more than a year.

The Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT), a professional body representing about 700 members, says increased resources are required to tackle the waiting lists but also to ensure that the level and frequency of the service is adequate.

Chairman of the association Jonathan Linklater said there aren’t enough speech and language therapists in the employment of the HSE to provide effective services adding that another frustration was that Ireland was producing high quality speech and language graduates who were effectively being trained for export, despite a clear need for resources.

Mr Linklater underlined the huge importance of early intervention: an inability to communicate properly affects a child’s behaviour, social interactions, education and has a major knock-on effect throughout their lives.

However, he said he knows of cases where therapists were able to offer only a set number of sessions per year, a situation which "limits the child's progress and also creates more difficulties for their parents in the longer term".

Intervention crucial
"The services when they get them are a high quality but the frequency of the intervention is also crucial," he said.

Catherine Cox of the Carer’s Association described as “unfair” the Government’s proposal that children under five be given free GP care when “they are at the same time denying very vulnerable children vital therapy and supports”. She also warned against the discontinuation of services for children who require ongoing services. “By discontinuing that support you are taking way all the good that the early intervention has done,” she said.

Dr Carol-Anne Murphy of the MSc speech and language therapy programme at the University of Limerick said that, given the long-term impact that speech and language difficulties can have on a child’s life, the provision of a timely and effective service to children with communication needs is “critical”.

As regards staffing, the HSE spokeswoman admitted that a growing number of unfilled posts was having an impact on the level of, and access to, services that can be provided to people with disabilities, particularly in the areas of speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. She said the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme, due to be rolled out this year, would include investment of €4 million and the provision of 80 additional therapy staff, to increase services for children with all disabilities.