Public health nurses have claimed that community services are in crisis, with vulnerable groups in particular facing great hardship and suffering because of recent cutbacks in the health service.
Restrictions in community services were highlighted at a meeting of the Public Health Nurse (PHN) section of the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) yesterday, with cutbacks in services for the elderly and young children of particular concern.
The PHN also said that their nurses faced unacceptable workloads because of the vacancy rates of up to 42 per cent, particularly in the greater Dublin area. They warned if the current situation was not addressed, they would be forced into refusing to take on new cases.
Cutbacks in home-help meant the service is now only available to people who are confined to bed or living on their own in some areas according to PHN members. They also claim that some housing estates in Dublin are without the child health home visiting service because of restrictions.
INO general secretary Mr Liam Doran said they were seeking an urgent meeting with the HSEA to establish from all Health Boards, their short/medium strategies for community nursing services.
"The evidence produced confirmed that cutbacks are not just taking place in hospitals as Health Boards are also reducing/eliminating essential community services in order to live within their financial allocation."
Other areas of contention include the reduction in the school immunisation service, and the elimination, in some areas, of services to the homeless and the Traveller Community.