HSE defends systems for referring children for specialist care 

A spokeswoman said the HSE tries to deliver treatment for children and young people 'at the right time, by the right person, and in the right place'. Picture: iStock

The HSE has defended systems for referring children to specialist care saying that, for most, treatment “should be provided as close to home as possible”.

It was responding to concerns expressed by Tánaiste Micheál Martin, published in the Irish Examiner on Monday, around the pace of referrals from regional hospitals to larger specialist sites.