HSE 'prioritise' infant checks amid shortage of public health nurses

There are 53 fewer public health nurses since December 2019.

The number of public health nurses has fallen below pre-pandemic levels, prompting the HSE to establish an oversight group in a bid to improve recruitment and retention.

The staffing crisis means some areas have had to put a priority system in place focusing on those patients with the greatest needs, the HSE said. These nurses work in the community delivering infant development checks, eye checks and act as a liaison between the elderly and health services, among other duties.