Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

How about offering part-time contracts that may suit therapists who are currently taking career breaks, in many instances for family reasons? I have spoken to several therapists who had actively considered taking up employment for a set number of hours per week, including evenings and weekends, enabling them to maintain their skills. Evening and weekend appointments would also assist families where parents are working and result in fewer hours lost for children. Many of these services are located alongside GP out-of-hours services, so the buildings are already open. We are now seeing health services like endoscopy providing out-of-hours appointments, so why not do the same for children whose potential is being wasted on waiting lists today? By delivering services innovatively, we could make it easier to recruit therapists, while also addressing the waiting lists and making a real difference to children like John.

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