DECLINE IN PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES AND AREA MEDICAL OFFICERS IN GALWAY

Date Published: 29-Jul-2011

An exodus of public health nurses is depriving children in the city of immunisations, development screenings and hearing tests.

That's according to the latest figures released by the Department of Health.

At least one public health nurse has retired every month since the beginning of last year.

That's left one third of positions in the city vacant due to the moratorium on recruitment.

The number of Area Medical Officers – who provide immunisation services, developmental screening and support for children with disabilities – has also dropped by almost 30 percent.