Fall in specialist nurse numbers

FIANNA Fáil spokesperson on disability Margaret Murphy O’Mahony TD (pictured) has expressed concern at a fall in the number of nurses for people with intellectual disabilities.

Figures released to Fianna Fáil reveal a drop of almost 3% in the number of intellectual disability nurse posts – with 110 fewer employed in May 2019 compared to the same month last year.

Deputy Murphy O’Mahony said: ‘This is deeply concerning as, notwithstanding an increase in life expectancy, people with intellectual disabilities have greater health needs, with issues often manifesting themselves far earlier in life than they would in the population at large. Indeed, experts have pointed out how the health problems of people with intellectual disabilities often go unrecognised and are consequently unmet.

This is yet another service gap that needs to be addressed. It’s not right that some of the most vulnerable people in society should have their health needs neglected in such a manner,’ concluded Deputy Murphy O’Mahony.