Babies not able to get crucial check-ups

THOUSANDS of babies are missing out on vital developmental checks, normally conducted at nine months, because of a shortage of public health doctors, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has claimed.

The IMO said its members have been told by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to prioritise vaccinations and private nursing home inspections and that children’s health is suffering as a result.

Chair of the IMO public health doctors’ committee, Dr Paula Gilvarry, said the “patchy nature” of the service meant potential problems are being diagnosed late or not at all. At present, there are 30,850 children who are due their nine-month child developmental checks and there are thousands more on a waiting list. Dr Gilvarry said it was vital the checks are carried out on time.

“For instance, if there is late diagnosis of hip dysplasia, it can mean surgery and could leave a child with a limp and also the risk of arthritis in later life,” she said.

It’s estimated that five to 10% of babies will have some degree of developmental delay, and early intervention is vital to ensure the child has the best chance to reach its full potential.

In some HSE regions, children must wait until they are up to two years old before they can have the doctor-led check-ups, which are obligatory under health legislation.

Infants are not the only people suffering because of a public health doctor manpower shortage, Dr Gilvarry said. Disabled people were also affected.

“There are a further 3,000 adults and children awaiting assessment for disability-related allowances and clearly there is considerable financial hardship for them if these assessments are delayed,” she said.

An agreement between the Department of Health and public health doctors in 2003 set down that there should be 150 public health doctors working in the community, as area medical officers, doing health screening, immunisations, dealing with meningitis outbreaks and with children’s special needs. Public health doctors estimate a shortage of at least 30 area medical officers, as many are working in sub-specialities such as child protection or with asylum seekers and haven’t been replaced.

A spokesperson for the HSE acknowledged there was a public health doctor shortage and said the HSE was committed to filling vacancies as they arose.