10/03/2005
Commissioner calls for end to speech therapy postcode lottery
The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People today called for an end to the postcode lottery in speech and language therapy services.
Nigel Williams today published an overview report on speech and language therapy services to children and young people in Northern Ireland.
The Commissioner said he was calling for the creation of a Task Force to develop an urgent action plan on speech and language therapy.
“Since I took up office I have received a considerable number of complaints from children and young people and those that care for them about speech and language therapy services,” he said.
“It is clear from this overview of speech and language that the wait for services varies enormously across Northern Ireland. That means that how long a child or young person waits for therapy can depend entirely on their postcode.”
Mr Williams said that all the parents he has spoken to had praised the professional work of speech and language therapists.
A copy of the report is available at www.niccy.org/downloads/overview.pdf.
(MB/SP)
Nigel Williams today published an overview report on speech and language therapy services to children and young people in Northern Ireland.
The Commissioner said he was calling for the creation of a Task Force to develop an urgent action plan on speech and language therapy.
“Since I took up office I have received a considerable number of complaints from children and young people and those that care for them about speech and language therapy services,” he said.
“It is clear from this overview of speech and language that the wait for services varies enormously across Northern Ireland. That means that how long a child or young person waits for therapy can depend entirely on their postcode.”
Mr Williams said that all the parents he has spoken to had praised the professional work of speech and language therapists.
A copy of the report is available at www.niccy.org/downloads/overview.pdf.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 March 2024
SDLP Calls For Urgent Restoration Of North South Ministerial Council
The SDLP has called for the urgent restoration of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), which it said is needed to advance all-island cooperation following the restoration of the Stormont government earlier this year.
SDLP Calls For Urgent Restoration Of North South Ministerial Council
The SDLP has called for the urgent restoration of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), which it said is needed to advance all-island cooperation following the restoration of the Stormont government earlier this year.
27 March 2024
Alliance Calls For Commitment To Support NI's Sports Bodies
The Alliance Party has called on the Communities Minister to make a commitment to support sports bodies in the upcoming Budget before jobs are lost. Strangford MLA and Communities spokesperson, Kellie Armstrong, made the call after hosting an Assembly event on building a united community through sport.
Alliance Calls For Commitment To Support NI's Sports Bodies
The Alliance Party has called on the Communities Minister to make a commitment to support sports bodies in the upcoming Budget before jobs are lost. Strangford MLA and Communities spokesperson, Kellie Armstrong, made the call after hosting an Assembly event on building a united community through sport.
26 January 2024
DUP Calls For Action On Car Insurance Price Increases
The DUP has called on the UK government to investigate car insurance price increases, especially for young drivers, in Northern Ireland.
DUP Calls For Action On Car Insurance Price Increases
The DUP has called on the UK government to investigate car insurance price increases, especially for young drivers, in Northern Ireland.
30 March 2006
NICCY warn over long waits for speech therapy
Thousands of children and young people are waiting for speech and language therapy a year after the office of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) warned more needed to be done.
NICCY warn over long waits for speech therapy
Thousands of children and young people are waiting for speech and language therapy a year after the office of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) warned more needed to be done.
08 February 2024
Belfast Teenagers Receive Hard-Hitting Road Safety Campaign
A hard-hitting road safety campaign has been presented to more than 1,000 teenagers at Belfast Model School for Girls.
Belfast Teenagers Receive Hard-Hitting Road Safety Campaign
A hard-hitting road safety campaign has been presented to more than 1,000 teenagers at Belfast Model School for Girls.