Disabled people forced to wait a year to see occupational therapist

DISABLED people are waiting up to a year to be assessed by an occupational therapist (OT) before they even can get approval for vital work on their homes, it was claimed yesterday.

The issue was highlighted by Cllr Jerry Mullally (Lab) at a meeting of Cork County Council’s northern division yesterday when he claimed that despite a standard letter saying OT assessments would take place within 24 weeks, this was not happening in many cases.

Mr Mullally said he contacted the HSE (Health Service Executive) on the issue, but got little satisfaction. He asked council officials, who are involved in administering Disabled Person’s Grants, what they could do about it.

“Because of the shortage of OTs there are now several people waiting up to a year to get assessed. It will probably get even worse now that the HSE has put an embargo on recruitment,” said Mr Mullally

“The reality on the ground is that people with mobility problems are suffering needless pain because of this,” the angry councillor said.

The council’s director of services, Michael Cremin, said that at present 150 people were awaiting OT assessment for grants in the north Cork area. He said the council didn’t intend to employ OTs itself and at present there was no provision in legislation for applicants to get private assessments.

Assistant county manager Tim Lucey pointed out that from next month a new scheme would be introduced, which would allow applicants to privately employ OTs and get the cost covered by the Government.

He added that from next April full responsibility for Disabled Person’s Grants would be handed over to local authorities and he would brief councillors on this at a special meeting in December.

“I’m very disappointed that there seems to be no intention of employing additional Occupational Therapists. We’re dealing with the most vulnerable people in society. Waiting even 24 weeks is not acceptable,” said Mr Mullally.

Cllr Noel Buckley (FG) said he knew of one person described as being “category one material” (in most urgent need) as waiting 26 weeks for assessment.

“I shudder to think how long they’d wait if they were category six,” Mr Buckley added. Mr Lucey said that the council was spending significant money through the grant converting disabled people’s homes.

So far this year €1,435,830 in grants has been approved for 148 disabled people in the north Cork area. A total of 281 applicants are still awaiting approval. The value of work on their homes is estimated at nearly €3m.