32,000+ Adults Wait Over a Year for HSE Primary Care Assessments; 5,000 in Waterford/Wexford Face Long Physio Treatment Delays
Over 32,000 adults in Ireland are waiting more than a year for primary care assessments, with 12,000 waiting over two years. Physiotherapy and occupational therapy account for the majority of these delays. The HSE is implementing measures to reduce these waiting lists, particularly in Waterford and Wexford where treatment delays are severe.
Over 32,000 adults are waiting more than a year for an initial primary care assessment in Ireland, according to HSE figures. This includes 12,000 waiting over two years, 5,600 over three years, 1,500 over four years, and 450 over five years. Most require physiotherapy (14,854) or occupational therapy (7,080).
Even after assessment, thousands face long waits for treatment. Physiotherapy is particularly acute, with about 5,400 adults waiting over a year for treatment post-assessment. Nearly 5,000 of these are in Waterford and Wexford.
These figures were released to Liam Quaide, Social Democrats spokesperson on mental health and disability, via a parliamentary question. Quaide, a Cork East TD, highlighted that the crisis extends beyond children's services to adult care, citing years-long waits in ophthalmology, dietetics, psychology, and speech and language therapy. He called for urgent staffing targets and comprehensive recruitment, stating that recruitment restrictions compromise services.
The HSE expressed regret for the waits and is working to remove over 60,000 people from physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy waiting lists by year-end. For Waterford and Wexford, the HSE is implementing measures like additional staff recruitment, telehealth, enhanced triage, and specialized programs (e.g., back care, osteoarthritis pathways) to reduce physiotherapy waiting times.