Wicklow has worst record for providing timely health checks

The Irish Independent reports today that Wicklow has the worst record for providing timely health checks.

The claim is made that thousands of infants are at risk because of delays in getting crucial developmental checks and home visits from public health staff in many areas of the country.

Figures obtained by the Irish Independent reveal a number of blackspots around the country where the HSE is failing to meet its target of examining 95pc of all infants before they reach 10 months.

The HSE is obliged to provide a number of health checks to monitor the progress of infants.

These checks are designed to pinpoint developmental difficulties infants may be having, such as with their hearing or eyesight.

But a lack of public health nurses and doctors, poor systems for following up parents who fail to respond to first notifications and a failure to pool scarce resources are all contributing to delays.

Blackspots across the country include Co Wicklow, Co Limerick, Co Clare, north central Dublin, southern areas of Cork city, Co Laois and Co Offaly .

The data shows Wicklow had the worst record for providing timely health checks.

Of 171 babies in the county who reached the age of 10 months in October last year, just six out of every 10 had been screened within the recommended period.