SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said that lengthy delays on growing lists for Occupational Therapy assessments is depriving people of their dignity and independence.
A response to an Assembly Question tabled by Mr Durkan, shows there are over 19, 397 patient waiting access Occupational Therapy Services.
The Western Trust exhibited the longest waits, with an average wait of 177 weeks for initial assessment.
Said the Foyle MLA: “OT services are experiencing crippling demand, significant staff shortfalls and colossal waiting times.
“As a result, the most vulnerable are being left without the care they desperately need.
“Figures which I obtained show that over 19,000 people here are waiting an OT assessment, that’s a 2,000 increase on last year.
“In the Western Trust area, the wait for an initial assessment can take 3.5 years—and that’s if you’re fortunate enough to get one at all.
“Patients are dying as they wait for support that could have otherwise extended and improved their quality of life.
“Children, navigating the formative years of their childhood, are left struggling without the essential support that would help to build their confidence, foster a sense of self-worth, and empower them to lead more independent lives.
“I truly believe that this could serve as an answer, or at least a starting point, to the health service and social care crisis.
“It would equip people with tools that would allow them to remain in their own homes for longer, help to prevent falls and injuries, alleviate pressures on emergency services and free up hospitals beds currently occupied due to patients being unable to return home safely.
“The failure of Executive ministers to address this crisis has allowed the situation to spiral, with waiting list increasing threefold within the last five years.
“It’s baffling that my local trust, which faces some of the highest demand for OT services, operates with the lowest staff numbers and by a significant margin.
“My constituents are bearing the brunt of a postcode lottery. The failure to meet the target of 13 weeks across all trusts and subsequent denial of services is having dire consequences for people.
“Behind every statistic is a person; I’ve heard to many cases of people forced to sleep on the sofa at night because they can’t bear the pain on climbing the stairs, or others withdrawing from family and friends because they’re unable to maintain their personal hygiene without access to suitable washing facilities.
“Addressing this crisis is not just about reducing waiting lists; it’s about restoring dignity, independence, and quality of life to those who need it most. The Executive need to fund this critical, invaluable service.”
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