- Opinion
- 26 Mar 18
1,635 children waited more than a year for psychology appointments, according to new figures.
6,181 children waiting for a primary care psychology appointment at the end of January 2018.
Of the young people waiting, some 1,635 of them have been waiting over a year to be seen.
This effectively means that these children spent all of 2017 waiting for an appointment.Fianna Fáil Mental Health Spokesperson James Browne says the figures demonstrate the ongoing crisis in the provision of mental health services for children.
Deputy Browne said, “To have over a quarter of these children waiting for an appointment for more than a year is just not right.
"Time is of the essence when dealing with vulnerable children and teenagers. The state and the HSE have a duty to do better by these children."
There are significant regional variations in figures. But Cork seems to be the worst affected with some 466 waiting over a year. It also has the worst waiting times for the CAMHS service.
“Incidentally the figures do not tell the whole story as there is a ‘data gap’ for Louth and consequently no information for that county is available," said Deputy Browne.
“Renewed efforts need to be made to address these waiting lists. Such deficiencies in mental health services for children cannot be allowed to continue.”