Vol. 563 No. 4
392 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 will receive an urgently needed bath rail; if he will investigate the extended delays in receiving occupational therapy treatment in this community care area; if this community care area has appointed occupational therapy assistants or other reforms to speed up the way in which clients are processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7650/03]
414 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing delays in providing occupational therapy at the South-Western Area Health Board; and if two reforms will be followed through to improve the service on offer. [7790/03]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 392 and 414 together.
As the Deputy is aware, responsibility for the provision of health services in Dublin 8 rests with the South-Western Area Health Board. My Department has been informed by the board that at present there are 18.7 vacancies out of board's complement of 45. As a result, there are waiting lists for the services of community occupational therapists.
The board has also advised that it is actively recruiting occupational therapists at present and it is expected that additional therapists will be appointed in the near future. Obviously this will help reduce the waiting time for all clients. In relation to the employment of occupational therapists, the board has stressed that provision of accurate information by all parties leads to applications being processed more speedily at every stage.
In the South-Western Area Health Board, the occupational therapists are actively examining ways of reducing waiting times for their service. A priority system is operated to determine that those with the most urgent needs are seen as quickly as possible. In the last year, an occupational therapist-hospital discharge facilitator was appointed to help ease the transition for patients from hospital to community. A pilot accident and emergency occupational therapist post was initiated to help prevent hospital admission for non-medical reasons. Discussions are taking place with acute hospital occupational therapists to provide an outreach service. Plans are progressing well on other initiatives to assist in a more timely provision of service.
In relation to the case referred to by the Deputy, my Department has asked the chief executive of the South-Western Area Health Board to investigate the matter and to reply direct to the Deputy.
