Deficit in Fingal Physiotherapy staffing must be addressed to tackle waiting lists

Local TD, Darragh O’Brien has said that unless staff vacancies in Fingal’s Physiotherapy Department are filled, the number of people in need of treatment will only continue to grow.

The Deputy received confirmation from the Health Service Executive this month that there are two vacancies in the Dublin North Physiotherapy Team and recruitment has been unsuccessful.

O’Brien commented, “The importance of community based physiotherapy services cannot be overestimated, particularly for those in rehabilitation following an accident or trauma.
“Many patients leave hospital following major surgery, hip replacement or having had a Stroke on the presumption that they will receive physiotherapy either at home or locally.
“Despite the current low level of staffing and the two vacant positions, no additional support whatsoever has been provided to the manager of the physio department in Fingal.

“The poor provision of services at the moment and the growing waiting list of people in need of essential therapy in our area cannot be let continue.

“I will be urging the Minister for Health, Simon Harris to do whatever it takes to fill these vacancies so that patients recovering in Fingal can be assured that waiting times will shorten.
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He concluded, “It is so important that we have physiotherapist on hand in our community to provide therapy to all those that need it in a more reasonable time frame so that their condition isn’t left to deteriorate any further.”