HSE launches assessment framework for Midlands public health nurses

The HSE officially launched the first ever Child and Family Needs Assessment Framework for public health nurses in the Midlands, last Thursday May 1. The assessment framework provides an evidence-based assessment tool to identify families who are in need of early intervention and require additional support. Speaking at the event Minister John Perry, representing the Minister for Children, welcomed the introduction of the framework. “It is encouraging to see the introduction of a process which can only enhance the delivery of services to those most in need. Evidence based on quality and appropriate early interventions in children’s lives is crucial to a child’s emotional, cognitive, and social development.” Director of public health nursing for Longford/ Westmeath, Virginia Pye, said. “This framework has greatly improved our ways of working and is having a positive effect on the children and families we are working with in the Midlands”. Public health nurses work in partnership with all families of pre-school children delivering a universal child health screening service. They also provide primary and secondary prevention in the area of child protection and welfare and work closely with the Child and Family Support Agency to deliver an integrated support plan for individual families. The programme is now in use in Laois/Offaly and Longford/Westmeath, and is in the process of being rolled out to the remainder of the country. For further information, contact Virginia Pye, director of public health nursing, Health Centre, Mullingar at [email protected] or (044 ) 9395078.