Health screening backlog hits schools

NATIONAL schools in South Galway, including the Gort area, are experiencing “backlogs” in the public school health screening programme, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has revealed.

However, the regional health authority has declined to outline the precise extent of the health screening delays experienced by some schools in the Gort area due to chronic staff shortages.
Members of the HSE West Forum were told at a recent meeting that the Gort and Tuam areas have no designated school screening service at present but that every effort is made to provide a “level of service” when nursing staff are available.
School health screening includes tests for vision, bedwetting, head lice management and other health concerns. The services provided to primary schools also include BCG, MMR and HPV vaccinations and dental services.
However, the HSE has acknowledged backlogs exist in the Gort, Tuam, Ballinasloe and Connemara areas. The Ballinasloe and Connemara areas are currently being served by the schools’ public health nurse in the adjoining areas with a target to complete the programme by 2012.
Councillor Mary Hoade asked the HSE if it could confirm if it is providing all health screening services to primary schools in Galway at present and, if not, how many schools have no services. She asked how many schools in the Gort area are being left without a proper service and how far behind schools are with standard targets.
Regional director of operations, John Hennessy stated a briefing could be provided with the Department of Public Health in Galway to deal with public service targets in this area.
Mr Hennessy stressed the HSE is trying to implement a more efficient model to deal with staffing resources to improve its delivery on vaccination and other screening targets in County Galway. He pledged to provide further information to Councillor Hoade after the meeting to assure her this matter is being addressed.
Speaking to The Clare Champion this week, Councillor Hoade confirmed she still hadn’t received further information concerning the exact waiting lists in schools in South Galway but is confident she would receive this in the near future.
The Headford-based councillor admitted she was concerned to learn about the deficits in school health screening and hoped measures would be put in place to address these once they were identified.
Expressing concern about the Government’s national recruitment ban and the impact of the recent exodus as a result of the incentivised pension scheme, she said any vacancies in the early intervention screening in schools have to be filled.
BCG vaccinations are provided to all pupils in fifth and sixth classes in alternate years through the school service. This has been completed in about 50% of schools and the programme is ongoing in the South Connemara and Ballinasloe area. The HSE is aiming towards full coverage by the end of the academic year.
MMR vaccinations are provided to all junior infant classes and, according to the HSE, this programme has been completed in all schools.
Commenting on the provision of dental services, Galway/Roscommon Primary, Community and Continuing Care (PCCC) area manager, Catherine Cunningham explained a planned targeted approach was used in the Galway PCCC area.
Resources are deployed to the maximum possible extent to endure dental examinations of children in target national schools, particularly second, fourth and sixth classes. Where necessary, appointments are subsequently arranged in nearby HSE dental clinics.
“The time period for these examinations is over the school year. As a result, Galway PCCC doesn’t maintain waiting lists as such. School class lists, as supplied by the schools, are the only lists that Galway PCCC currently maintains.
“A methodology for more detailed recording of this information in a consistent and standardised manner is being developed at national level. We will be in a position to provide more detailed information once the methodology has been rolled out,” she said.
Ms Cunningham admitted the HSE cannot replace dentists who retire, resign or avail of leave due to the public sector moratorium on recruitment. However, every effort continues to be made to maintain essential services through reassignment and redeployment of staff.