'Waiting lists have never been worse': HSE figures highlight service gaps across the country 

The figures were released to Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane. 'Waiting lists have never been worse,' he said.  Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

Nearly 260,000 people were waiting on therapy treatment or assessment in their community by December 2024, compared to around 167,000 on similar lists five years earlier, new HSE data shows.

Babies unable to feed, older people struggling to recover from hip operations, and teenagers needing glasses could be hidden in these numbers, therapists warned.

Data on eight therapies — audiology, dietetics, occupational therapy, ophthalmology, physiotherapy, psychology, podiatry, and speech and language therapy — shows the “real impact” of service gaps.

Across Cork and Kerry, just one child aged between five and 17 waited longer than one year for dietitian appointments in December 2019 — but three years later, this stood at 216. 

In the south east, ophthalmology lists for under-5s showed 232 waiting longer than one year in December 2019. By 2024 this stood at 1,072.

Limited access to speech and language therapy in mid-west counties saw 1,270 patients of all ages waiting for assessment in December 2019, but by December 2024 this reached 2,264. 

Psychology lists show reductions in numbers of patients waiting the longest but overall are rising. Some 6,293 people of all ages waited for mental health help in Cork and Kerry by December 2024 compared to 1,284 in December 2019.

Hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia, but 2,749 people aged over 65 were waiting over a year for treatment, up from 1,262 three years ago.

Health and Social Care Professionals Alliance chairwoman Jennifer Feighan warned "there is a real impact on patients and on families” and said these numbers are “real people and the real world effects". 

 “The lists are right across the country,” she said. 

It ranges from babies who can’t swallow to home adaptations to older people who need special care. It really does impact people’s ability to stay well in their homes. This goes against the principles of Sláintecare which is the right care, the right person, the right place, and the right time. 

Ms Feighan, also the Irish Nutrition and Dietetics Institute's CEO, called for an urgent focus on recruitment and training to help tackle these delays.

The figures were released to Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane.

“Waiting lists have never been worse,” he said. 

“The surge in primary care waiting lists is a shocking indictment of Government’s failure to plan; to train, retain, and recruit the healthcare workers that we need; and to support local health services. This shows that for all the talk, the Government has failed miserably at tackling the fundamental problems in healthcare.” 

Radical change is needed and that must start with a major ramp-up of health and social care training places," he said.

A HSE spokesman said last year 1,398,763 therapy service users were seen in HSE Primary Care Services.

“The rate of referral for therapy services grew by 7% nationally in 2023. In 2024 referrals increased by a further 1%. The increased referral rate is particularly notable in physiotherapy, psychology and audiology,” he said.

Recruitment and “substantial reform” continues, he said, adding that the HSE recognises the need to address waiting lists.