Responsibility for the provision of the services referred to by the Deputy is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the area health boards.
The Eastern Regional Health Authority has reported that the current statistics in relation to numbers awaiting assessment in St. Louise's assessment and treatment service at Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin are 38 on the waiting list with a further 16 where further information is required. In relation to treatment, the numbers are six awaiting treatment and a further four where further information is required. In an attempt to reduce the waiting times for assessment, the hospital decided to appoint two additional staff to the unit earlier this year and to increase the number of consultant hours.
When the authority was made aware of the current difficulties with waiting times for the services at St. Louise's assessment and treatment service, a review of the child sexual abuse assessment and treatment services in the eastern region was commenced. This includes a review of the services provided at St. Claire's unit, Temple Street Hospital.
Following the establishment of a steering group to oversee the review process, monitor progress and develop recommendations and the appointment of dedicated researcher, some interim findings have emerged to date and work is ongoing. Two progress reports on the review to date were presented to the Eastern Regional Health Authority board members in April and June 2003. The key findings reported in April were that although the numbers being referred have reduced over the past 12 months, the waiting times have increased. The primary factors contributing to this were identified as: complexity of cases, amount of time spent on court work, difficulties in relation to recruitment and retention of specialist staff, training and induction of staff and delays associated with obtaining the required level of information from the various referral sources.
Further extensive interviews and site visits identified further challenges within the current arrangements relating to capacity for referrals. I understand that the resource implications of measures to address the waiting list issue will be the subject of discussions between the provider agencies and the authority. The Eastern Regional Health Authority has indicated that the review is to be completed for September 2003.
I wish to assure the Deputy that I will be closely monitoring the situation. I am urging the Eastern Regional Health Authority to complete this review as early as possible. I am committed to ensuring that the current waiting time situation is improved.
