Just under 1,000 children are on a waiting list to see a respiratory consultant at Temple Street Children’s Hospital with more than 500 waiting more than a year, new figures have revealed.
The figures have been slammed as “shocking” by Opposition TDs.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly “sincerely regrets” kids are experiencing a long wait for treatment.
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Statistics given to Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe show 176 children are waiting zero to six months, 127 are waiting six to 12 months and 119 are waiting 12 to 18 months.
And 529 children are on a waiting list to see a respiratory consultant for more than 18 months.
Social Democrats co-leader and health spokeswoman Roisin Shortall said the waiting period can have a huge impact on children’s lives.
She added: “These figures are shocking and an indictment of the Minister and the HSE. However, difficult things are in the health service, children must be prioritised.
“Respiratory problems in children can have a huge impact on their childhood and their welfare by having to go on frequent courses of antibiotics, having to attend ED and missing school. It is especially reprehensible that almost 650 children are waiting over a year to see a consultant.
“Time lost from childhood can never be replaced.”
Sinn Fein’s health spokesman David Cullinane said parents of children are long past hearing about expressions of regret from Ministers and the Government needs to tackle the vacant consultant posts.
Speaking to the Irish Mirror, he added: “Wait times across health care are far too long.
“We need a fit for purpose workforce plan to train, recruit and retain more graduates and specialists.”
Mr Donnelly said Covid-19 has impacted waiting times for scheduled appointments but that the HSE has confirmed to his Department that “patient safety” remains at the centre of hospital activity.
In response to a parliamentary question from Mr McAuliffe, he said: “I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for treatment, and I remain conscious of the burden that this places on them and their families.”
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