In recent months residents of Newcastle have been told there would be no cover in terms of a public health nurse in the Newcastle area for the foreseeable future. PHN’s specialise in developmental checks for new-born and infants. They are a vital part of a child’s developmental health and wellbeing. In a response to Deputy Gino Kenny, the HSE stated that the issue is one of recruitment of public health nurses in the Dublin area and beyond.
People Before Profit TD for Dublin Mid-West Gino Kenny TD said “It is hard to believe in an area with the population of Newcastle there is no Public Health nurse, it is deeply concerning with each month that passes to imagine how many infants are not receiving this vital health check. I first wrote to the Minister about this in May 2022 and followed up parliamentary questions. I have asked the Minister to outline why there are recruitment problems within the HSE especially in relation to the job of Public Health Nurse. Only one application for this position flags there are serious problems if terms and conditions or low wages is the issue the HSE needs to get honest with itself to resolve this matter”.
