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 bee.
