The provision of paediatric services in Ireland and health outcomes for children are broadly in line with other EU countries. Child mortality rates in the under one year old and under five years old categories are similar to those in other EU states. The national childhood immunisation rate of 90% compares well with other developed countries.
However it is clear that there are issues which need to be addressed in relation to ensuring better outcomes for young patients. Specific areas of importance at present in terms of service pressures are adolescent Scoliosis, Urology, Endocrinology, transition to Adult Inherited Metabolic Disorders services and Child Protection.
In developing improved and additional services the HSE has been working to identify areas of specific and projected need in paediatrics nationally to ensure best in class care in Paediatric Services into the future and have provided additional funding to support this. Areas such as Paediatric Critical Care, Immunology, a Retrieval Service, Neurosurgery, Rheumatology, Spina Bifida and Newborn Screening have come in for focused attention and investment. Challenges remain to implement some of these development posts given the employment moratorium however the hospital network and the Regional Director are working to progress the appointments.
The HSE is currently working on developing a national model of care and clinical programme in paediatrics. The aim of the model of care and clinical programme will be to ensure that children receive the most appropriate treatment in the most appropriate location as close to their homes as possible with only the most complex cases being referred to the national centres. Dr Alf Nicholson has been appointed as national lead for the development of the new clinical programme in paediatrics and Dr John Murphy has been appointed national clinical lead in neonatology. The proposed new children's hospital will be at the centre of the national model of care and will provide an outreach programme to the regional centres.