2000 in roscommon waiting to see physiotherapist

Deputy Denis Naughten has revealed that a staggering 2,000 people inRoscommon are waiting to see a physiotherapist, with many waiting months for an assessment before treatment even starts.

“Some of these people are trapped in their own homes waiting to access vital treatment which can allow them greater independence,” stated Denis Naughten. “With the HSE looking at a budget overrun in excess of €500m, it will be these very people who will be pushed to the back of the queue.

“Because of the serious backlogs in treatment, patients and parents whose children need urgent therapy are often forced to go private at great personal cost. However, these delays are also putting further costs, and pressure, on the health service in the longer term. It’s just another case of penny wise and pound foolish.

“If we are to a have an effectively run health service then we need to get the basic things right. By providing timely physiotherapy we can reduce the need for costly surgical intervention, get patients out of hospital quicker and delay their admission to nursing homes as well as dramatically improving their quality of life,” concluded Denis Naughten.