HSE reveals significant increase in delays for child psychology appointments in Cork/Kerry

Serious problems can result for children for problems such as anxiety or depression who do not get an appointment in a timely fashion, according to professionals working in the field. File Picture: iStock

The HSE has said it “sincerely regrets” the massive waiting list for child psychology appointments in Cork/Kerry, but offered no explanation as to why the lists in its North Lee section have increased 28-fold since 2020.

New details on the delays for such appointments in the southern region show that each of the five sections have seen at least a 200% increase since December 2020.

However, the figures — released to Social Democrats leader and Cork TD Holly Cairns — show that the North Lee region increased between that date and May 2024 from just 53 to 1,503.

More than 100 of the 5,009 children awaiting an appointment have been waiting for between four and five years, while the numbers on waiting lists jumped by more than 200 in the early weeks of May 2024 alone.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

Asked about the surge in the North Lee region and what is being done to mitigate the situation, a HSE spokesperson did not directly respond to the question, but said that the service “sincerely regrets the waiting times for primary care psychology”.

“We are facing challenges in providing timely access due to this significant increase in the number of referrals, as well as staffing challenges," the spokesperson said. 

More than half of the funded posts in the service are vacant and recruitment of psychologists is currently very difficult.” 

Referrals for such appointments have more than doubled in the Cork area since 2020; however that increase has been seen in each of the four local regions — South Lee, North Cork, and West Cork being the three others — in that time, not just in North Lee.

The North Lee catchment itself comprises of areas of the city north of the Lee, including Blackpool and Mayfield, as well as the towns of Blarney, Cobh, and Midleton.

As of May, South Lee — which comprises of areas such as Bishopstown and Mahon, together with Ballincollig and Carrigaline — showed the highest number of children awaiting an appointment in Cork/Kerry, with 1,743.

The mild or moderate behaviours exhibited by those seeking a child psychology appointment could include anxiety or depression, but do not include self-harm or suicidal ideation.

However, serious problems can result for children who do not get an appointment in a timely fashion, according to professionals working in the field.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Last week the Taoiseach told Ms Cairns in the Dáil that the enormous waiting lists in Cork and Kerry are not replicated nationally, saying “there seems to be a particular challenge in this region”.

Ms Cairns responded that the trend being seen “is a very worrying development”.

“Such high vacancy levels did not occur overnight,” Ms Cairns responded.

“Serious questions must now be asked: what are the reasons behind this recruitment crisis in CHO 4; how has it been allowed to get to this point unchecked; and what efforts have been made by the HSE to address such a serious staffing deficit?”