Health Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2012

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Ceisteanna (615)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

667 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of babies born here in 2009, 2010 and 2011; the number of these babies who received a check-up within 48 hours of discharge from hospital; the number who received a developmental examination at two weeks following birth; the number who received a developmental examination at six weeks following birth; if he will provide a breakdown by Health Service Executive region of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10772/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly)

The number of PHN visits within 48 hours of birth for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 is:

Year	No of births*	No and % receiving PHN visit within 48 hours of birth	HSEDML	HSEDNE	HSE South	HSE West
2009	74,617	59,918 (80.3%)	83.7%	61.6%	82.1%	96%
2010	74,437	62,378 (83.8%)	84.2%	73.4%	86.7%	91.3%
2011	73,092	61,105 (83.6%)	83.6%	71.4%	86.9%	92.8%

*No. of births includes stillbirths

Best Health for Children outlines the schedule of visits for the child health and surveillance programme. There is no requirement for children to receive a developmental examination at two weeks following birth. The Mother and Infant scheme provided by GPs covers both ante-natal care and post-natal care up to six weeks for mother and baby. Data are held by the contracted GPs who participate in this scheme.