Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013
1167. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons in receipt of community based nursing services from the Health Service Executive nationwide; the number of these that are children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46598/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic Health Nurses (PHNs) and Registered General Nurses (RGNs) working in the community provide a wide range of services including maternity and infant care services, child health services, services to older people, community rehabilitation, Hospital in the Home, Community Intervention Teams, leg ulcer clinics etc.
Information in relation to the total number of persons in receipt of community based nursing services is not routinely collected nationally by the HSE. The following provides the latest information based on the data that is collated nationally.
- 45,838 children under the age of 10 months had their Child Development Health Screening undertaken from January to the end of August 2013. This includes screening completed by both Public Health Nurses and Area Medical Officers;
- 44,308 new born babies were visited by a PHN within 72 hours of hospital discharge (39,328 of these were within 48 hours) from January to September 2013;
- 43,762 babies were seen by a PHN at their 3 month assessment from January to September 2013;
In relation to the further specific information requested by the Deputy, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the issue.
