A shortage of community doctors is putting the health of tens of thousands of children at risk, the Irish Medical Organistion (IMO) claimed today.
The IMO said up to 27,000 babies have either not had, or were waiting for, developmental screening due to a lack of community doctors.
Chair of the IMO public health committee Dr Paula Gilvarry said it is vital to screen babies before 12 months to allow early treatment for motor and sensory delay, autism and cerebral palsy.
"After [one year] they can get lost in the system until school entry age or older. Early intervention means vital time is used to allow each child develop to full potential," she said.
Immediate priorities meant that immunisation and infectious diseases were getting priority, Dr Gilvarry said.
She added that there has been a 57 per cent of infectious diseases. Of the 60 posts available for Directors and Specialists only 38 are filled.
She said an agreement between the IMO and Department of Health & Children in 2003, determined that 150 community doctor posts be filled nationally, but 36 of these posts remain unfilled.