CHILDREN with language and speech problems in the Blackburn area are having to endure delays of up to 18 months before they even get an appointment with a therapist.
It is vital that children with these problems should be treated as early as possible.
Such long delays could blight the rest of their lives.
The delays are blamed on a shortage of speech therapists, an increasing number of referrals and the changing roles of therapists.
We can appreciate these problems and it is good to see that CommuniCare NHS Trust is doing all it can to reduce waiting lists.
The integration of special needs children into mainstream schools has put even more pressure on therapists.
The Government should recognise the difficulties brought about by these changes and give urgent attention to the training of more therapists.
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