8,000 babies missed vital developmental checks last year
Summary
Tony Fitzpatrick of the INMO discusses a severe shortage of public health nurses in Ireland, which has caused nearly 8,000 babies to miss their 12-month developmental checks. He highlights that despite available funding, the HSE has failed to fill training places due to strict employment controls, resulting in over 300 vacancies. The segment calls on the Department of Health to fast-track recruitment and address the declining workforce numbers to ensure essential child and maternal health services are delivered.
Topics discussed
Show introduction and sponsor
Report on 8,000 babies missing 12-month checks
Role of public health nurses in child development
Recruitment failures and unfilled training places
Long-term decline in PHN workforce numbers
Budget availability and HSE internal reports
Employment controls and civil service sign-offs
Summary of key findings and guest identification
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