School kids missing out on health check ups School kids missing out on health check ups

By SIOBHÃÂN HOLLIMAN TUAM has no designated service to carry out school health screenings at the moment and backlogs are building. The health screenings in schools check on vision, hearing, enuresis, head lice management and other health concerns. The HSE West confirmed that while screenings are ongoing, backlogs exist in Tuam, Ballinasloe, Gort and Connemara. Ballinasloe and Connemara are being served by the schools public health nurse in the adjoining areas, however Tuam and Gort don't have any designated service and efforts are being made to provide some service when nursing staff are available. [private] Headford-based Cllr Mary Hoade raised the matter at this month's meeting of the regional health forum where she queried whether the necessary services were being provided to primary schools. BCG vaccinations and MMR vaccinations are being provided in schools in this area while efforts to keep up with school dental examinations in 2nd, 4th and 6th classes are ongoing. Cllr Hoade said it was a concern that Tuam school children were missing out on health checks and was anxious to know when the service would be provided. She also feared the impact on community services as a result of 11 public health nurses leaving the Galway area this week. [/private]