SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has raised serious concerns about the growing numbers of patients waiting for Occupational Therapy assessments in the North of Ireland.
At present, 14,055 patients are waiting to access an occupational therapy appointment.
In addition, the number of patients waiting in excess of 13 weeks has more than doubled within the Western Health and Social Care Trust from 1,029 as of 31st March 2020 to 2,319 in March 2022.
Mr Durkan said that in some instances constituents have been advised they could be waiting up to 22 months for an assessment.
On Occupational Therapy Week 7-13 November, the Foyle MLA said the focus needs to be firmly placed toward increasing resources to ensure people can access support to help them live more independently and with dignity.
Said Mr Durkan: “Access to occupational therapy is a basic and crucial right, one that should be readily available for patients.
“I’m contacted on a near daily basis by individuals waiting to see an occupational therapist, several of whom have been told they will be waiting up to 22 months for an assessment.
“The reality is that this necessary support is fast becoming a luxury with people and their families, being forced to consider private healthcare.
“Securing an OT assessment is a first and crucial step for many people to secure crucial support and home adaptations that would radically improve the quality of life.
“It is staggering but will come as no surprise that the numbers of individuals waiting over three months for an assessment within the Western Trust has doubled in just two years.
“However, what is completely unacceptable is that the Western Trust repeatedly tops the tables for longest waits and highest numbers on Occupational Therapy waiting lists, yet employ the lowest number of Occupational Therapists compared to other trust areas.
“Currently, the Western Trust has just 186 OTs in comparison to 327 at the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
“Waiting lists are spiralling yet adequate steps have not been taken to ensure resources can keep step with demand.
“The failure to meet the target of 13 weeks and its denial of services is going to have dire consequences for patients’ personal development.
“Behind every statistic is a person; an individual and family struggling to meet care needs without access to services and home adaptations that would restore some semblance of independent living.
“The failure to get a grip on this crisis, is denying people of their dignity and their wellbeing.”
Mr Durkan added: “I want to pay tribute to Occupational Therapists and the invaluable work they do. Access to their services literally changes and empowers lives.
“Staff are working under increased pressures with increasingly stretched resources.
“Greater effort is needed to recruit staff, ensure adequate resources are in place not only to deliver services to patients but to alleviate pressures facing services at this time.”
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