A local TD says waiting lists for specialist therapies in the region are already too high.
More than half of HSE staff redeployed into covid testing and tracing were from the midlands.
167 people working in primary care and core therapy and clinical areas were deployed - 100 of whom are from Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Longford, Louth and Meath.
Fine Gael's Charlie Flanagan says waiting lists for Speech & Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Assessment of Needs are already very high.
The Laois-Offaly TD has written to the Health Minister and the chief executive of the HSE about accelerating the recruitment of staff for covid-specific jobs and for redeployed staff to return to their core duties:
Ploughing 2026 Day Two: As It Happened
There Are Very Strict Rules When It Comes To International Sport - Tanaiste
Terminating A Pregnancy Is Not An Easy Or Quick Decision - Sorca Clarke
Three Day Abortion Waiting Period Under Scrutiny In Leinster House
An Post Opens Recruitment For 1,600 Christmas Workers
Initiative Tackling Drug Related Intimidation Gets Funding Boost
Westmeath GAA Star Raises Concerns Over Future Of Irish Farming
Westmeath Market House Redevelopment Could Begin Construction By December