Face-to-face assessments for children needing psychology services in Longford should be re-introduced again soon.
That's according to Dr Ronan Gibney of the Psychology Service for Longford and Westmeath who also told this month's meeting of the local health forum that every effort is being made to address the long waiting list for appointments.
Dr Ronan Gibney was responding to a motion from Longford Councillors Paul Ross, PJ Reilly and Paraic Brady which called for the Child Psychologist Service in Longford to be restored fully and for additional supports to be put in place to remove the current long waiting list.
This motion was raised at this month's meeting of the Regional Health Forum for the Midlands Louth Meath Community Healthcare Organisation.
Responding, the HSE confirmed that just two psychologists are currently working with children in Longford and significant efforts are being made to recruit additional psychologists to vacant posts.
This is proving to be a challenge due to shortages of suitably qualified staff and difficulties recruiting in what the HSE describes as "areas distant from large urban centres".
The meeting heard that many HSE buildings are still not open to the public due to Covid-19 and some staff have been re-engaged in swab testing and other related activities because testing continues to be a priority for the HSE.
Dr Gibney says that a significant amount of work is being done at the moment to provide teleconferencing support for parents and children with some limited assessment work taking place but face to face meetings are needed to complete some of the assessments.
However, it's expected that this situation will change very soon following a successful recruitment campaign to put dedicated swab test personnel in place allowing staff from services like psychology to return to their primary roles.
