Lack of community doctors 'putting children at risk'

The Irish Medical Organisation has accused the Government of putting the health of tens of thousands of children at risk.

The organisation said 150 community doctors were supposed to have been appointed as part of an agreement it reached with the Department of Health two years ago.

However, it said 36 of these posts have still not been filled.

The IMO said this had created a situation where up to 27,000 children were either waiting for or had missed out entirely on early health screening designed to identify developmental problem.

Spokesperson Dr Paula Gilvarry said this was putting the health of these children at risk.

"You don't have time with children," she said. "They need to be seen quickly."