IASLT Press Release 12th August 2022 - Failures within the roll out of Progressing Disability Services (PDS).

Failures within the roll out of Progressing Disability Services (PDS).

It is evident in the roll out of Progressing Disabilities Services (PDS) nationally, that there are inconsistencies in management structures, staffing and clinical pathways. Members of the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT) are identifying systemic failures within the roll out of PDS that are placing children and speech and language therapists (SLTs) at risk with resultant concerns in relation to CORU registration and SLT scope of practice. These issues and failures have a direct impact on staff retention and recruitment in disability services. As the professional body for SLTs in the Republic of Ireland, the IASLT is concerned about the integrity of the profession and professional standards due to the identified risks and failures that exist across PDS services.

IASLT have today issued a statement and have identified a number of key concerning themes;

1. Clinical Risk due to the absence of Clinical Governance and lack of Clinical Pathways.
2. Absence of specialist pathways and clinical specialists.
3. Scope of practice.

You can read the full statement here.

IASLT would welcome the opportunity to meet Minister Rabbitte and relevant stakeholders to offer our support in remediating these systemic failures. IASLT echoes our member’s concerns and wishes to engage in supporting developments towards safe and quality standards of care and practise for children and families across all disability services in Ireland.

Notes to editor: IASLT is the recognised professional body for speech and language therapists in Ireland.  It establishes and maintains professional standards and represents Speech and Language Therapists at national and international levels.  Membership represents over 1000 speech and language therapists. Our vision is that ‘Everyone will have the right to live well, irrespective of communication or eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties.’.