New investigation reveals a significant number of children in Wexford are missing out on critical health assessments

A new investigation into the delivery of child development checks across Ireland has revealed that a significant number of children in Wexford are missing out on critical health assessments. This comes as part of a nationwide report by the HSE, which highlights alarming gaps in the timely completion of essential Public Health Nurse (PHN) checks for children aged 9–11 months. HSE figures show that 8,844 children in the South East region, (· CHO 5 - South Tipperary, Carlow/Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford) missed a crucial child development check over the past five years. That is  a total of 68.93% The data shows that parts of Wexford have faced significant challenges in ensuring children receive their 9-11 month check, an essential milestone in early childhood development. The number of missed checks in Wexford reflects wider regional issues, with a growing concern over delayed assessments. Nationally, around 70,000 children missed the crucial PHN check between 2020–2024. In Dublin, one-in-five eligible children missed out last year, but Wexford's figures still raise serious concerns over the consistency of delivery of health services for children in the region. Dr. Pamela O’Connor, Consultant Neonatologist, emphasized the importance of these checks, stating, “The first year of life is crucial for a child’s development, and missed developmental checks can lead to long-term issues being overlooked.” Vivienne O’Reilly, Public Health Nurse, echoed these concerns, highlighting the strain on local health services that has contributed to these missed checks in the Wexford area. “We are working hard to deliver these checks, but resourcing challenges and growing demand are leaving us struggling to keep up.” Maeve Smyth, HSE Director of Public Health Nursing (Dublin SE), pointed out that while efforts are being made to address these issues, “there is still no consistent tracking across all checks, leaving us with an incomplete picture of how many children across the country are being assessed.” Last year, nearly 3,500 children in Dublin missed their 9–11 month check, with Dublin West experiencing a staggering 60% shortfall. Other regions, including parts of Kerry, North Cork, and Sligo-Leitrim, are also facing critical gaps in the delivery of PHN checks. However, Wexford’s challenges stand out as part of this broader pattern, raising alarm bells over the resources allocated to these crucial services. These missed checks represent a failure in ensuring the early health and development of children in the region. The absence of these assessments can result in delayed identification of health issues such as developmental disorders, nutritional deficiencies, and other potential health concerns. Parents in Wexford have raised their frustrations about the delays, with many pointing out that they are left unsure of where to turn or how to get timely support for their children. Local authorities are now being urged to take immediate action to address these gaps in the child development check system. Health professionals, including PHNs and pediatric specialists, are calling for better resource allocation and a more structured approach to tracking and delivering these checks. The issue has become a matter of growing concern, with the health of thousands of children in Wexford at stake. Parents, healthcare workers, and advocates are calling for urgent reform to ensure that every child receives the care they need on time.