A performance audit of healthcare in the county has criticised mental health, physiotherapy and speech and language services in Clare.
The survey shows only one in three children concerned receive an appointment with a member of the mental health service team within the national target time of three months.
Two in five are seen quickly enough to meet targets for speech and language therapy, while one third of Clare residents wait at least three months for a physiotherapy appointment.
The survey also reveals the extent of financial problems in the county’s health services – for the first five months of the year, there was an overspend of almost 1.6 million euro, three-and-a-half per cent of the overall budget, while over 6.5% of working hours here are lost due to absenteeism, almost twice the acceptable amount.
The survey found that Clare’s health services perform well in ensuring that it’s services are patient centred.
Access to diagnostic and primary care services is fair, as is the local health office’s use of resources.
