Ireland nursing leaders urge fast-track recruitment after missed child health checks

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has called on the Health Services Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health to prioritize the recruitment of public health nurses. This demand follows a report from the Irish Ombudsman for Children’s Office titled “The Milestones Missed,” which found that the HSE failed to ensure effective delivery of universal health examinations for children under six.

Reports indicate that nearly 8,000 infants missed vital 12-month developmental checks last year, reportedly due to staffing shortages. The investigation noted that a 2022 HSE protocol, which shifted from universal access to a system prioritizing high-risk cases, resulted in some children missing essential assessments. These checks, which include hip and heel prick tests, are critical for identifying developmental, behavioral, and emotional needs early.

Nursing leaders emphasized that public health nurses provide essential community services, including postnatal home visits and monitoring growth milestones at various stages from birth to school age. The INMO warned that the current lack of resources and unfilled positions are impacting the preventative health services intended to support children and families across the country.