HSE denies speech therapy ‘crisis’

THE HSE has flatly denied Fine Gael claims that the country’s speech and language therapy service is in “tatters” with waiting lists reaching a “dangerous high”.

According to Fine Gael, speech and language therapists are being forced to emigrate as they can’t find work here yet there are children waiting up to six months for treatment. Experts agree that early intervention is crucial when tackling a speech and language disorder.

The HSE has said that more basic grades are due to come on stream and that many of the posts will be filled from a panel of basic grade therapists that they advertised for three months ago.