PHN shortage impacting child health assessments

Concerns were aired at a HSE meeting over the “low rates” of child health and development assessments in some areas.

In May, the HSE performance committee discussed regional variations, the difficulties recruiting public health nurses (PHNs), and the “importance of early intervention and prevention”.

Members agreed that the issue should be added to the committee’s workplan. A presentation on the provision of child health assessments and associated challenges would take place at a future meeting, indicated the minutes.

“There has been an ongoing challenge in recruiting and retaining PHNs, particularly in the greater Dublin area,” a HSE spokesperson told the Medical Independent.

The spokesperson outlined several short-term measures that have been introduced to optimise available resources, including service integration, workload reorganisation, and staff redeployment.

“Where staff shortages occur, the HSE prioritises and supports children and families with the greatest need in the community.”

PHNs provide free development checks for children from birth to five years of age. Appointments are typically conducted in the family home or at a local health centre.

According to the latest HSE data, 95 per cent of babies receive a PHN visit within 72 hours of discharge from maternity services. Some 91 per cent of children reaching 12 months within the reporting period had their nine-11 months PHN assessment on time or before reaching 12 months of age.

In 2025, the Department of Health funded an additional 26.7 whole-time equivalent (WTE) PHN posts, with 23.7 WTEs onboarded to date. These posts have increased the overall nursing complement. As a result, the HSE has noted an improvement in the percentage of children receiving the nine-11 months assessment, particularly in the HSE mid-west and west/north-west regions.

“Dublin south-east has also demonstrated a positive upward trend, and [Dublin] south-west continues to meet the target, whilst Dublin south city has improved from 45 per cent in March to 74 per cent in May 2026.”