Children in Sligo and Leitrim to miss out on development assessments due to nursing staff shortages

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The HSE has confirmed that staff shortages are resulting in children not receiving scheduled development assessments.

Deputy Martin Kenny had raised the matter in the Dáil asking, the Minister for Health “If she is aware that the public health nurse service in the Sligo-Leitrim area is being reduced, with a move to a priority status service and will no longer deliver child health and development services.”

Deputy Kenny said the matter came to light when a constituent received a letter stating, ‘Public Health Nursing Service is moving to priority status in your area. This means that due to a staff shortage, we must prioritise the services that we can provide.’

Deputy Kenny said, “Child screening is a vital part of health care for infants and young children in order to identify any issues in a child’s development and ensure early intervention.

“The Minister for health must ensure that this service is provided to all infants and children in the Sligo Leitrim and south Donegal area when they are due to receive screening.

“These appointments cannot be pushed down the line as it will result in early diagnosis being missed and adversely affect the development of some children.”

In reply to his parliamentary question, Deputy Kenny received correspondence from Aisling O’Neill, Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo saying, “Regrettably, there are currently a number of vacant Public Health Nursing (PHN) posts in the Sligo, South Donegal/Leitrim, West Cavan (SSD/LWC) area. Consequently, a number of interim measures have been initiated to prioritise resources within the PHN Service in the SSD/LWC area.”

Ms O’Neill added, “Public Health Nurses in adjoining areas provide cover in the SSD/LWC area, in order to ensure that all new mothers and their babies are prioritised, during the post-natal period. Also, during the summer months, the School Public Health Nurses provide support in areas where there are currently vacant PHN posts. This facilitates the completion of Child Development Screening for infants and children, who are overdue their screening.

"Staffing resources will increase, as a number of Public Health Nurses are due to return to their posts in the coming week, following their respective temporary absences. In addition, four student Public Health Nurses, who are being sponsored by the PHN Service SSD/LWC, have recently commenced their (Postgraduate Diploma) in Public Health Nursing.

"Please be assured that all children will receive an appointment for Child Health Screening. However, I acknowledge that, in some cases, it will be later than the recommended screening timeframe. The letter issued to effected parents advised of other resources they can avail of until staffing issues are fully resolved.

“In the meantime, the My Pregnancy and My Child books are available on the HSE Mychild.ie website and are a very good resource for information. The My Pregnancy Book provides advice for pregnancy and the first few weeks after birth. The My Child Books 0-2 years and 2-5 years provides advice to help you and your baby/child.”