Families sue HSE for delay assessing needs of disabled children

Three families have launched a legal action in the High Court seeking to compel the HSE to deliver assessments of need for children who might have a disability within the designated timeframe, in a move which could affect thousands of families.

Under the Disability Act 2005, children must receive an initial assessment of needs within three months of receipt of an application and a complete assessment within a further three months.

However, the number of children waiting longer than the recommended three-month guideline rose by 23% between October and December 2016, figures show.