HSE South West
Take Action Now
Ireland does less newborn screening than 75% of European countries1. 5 years of promises and only 1 new test delivered2. The lives of ~200 Irish children could be saved or improved each year3. It’s time to Get Rare Aware and make a change.
The limited services and resources available for newborn screening dramatically impacts the life of every child born in Ireland, and particularly those with a rare disease:
- A timely diagnosis preserves the health of babies for longer4
- A delayed diagnosis has a significant financial impact on families4
- The conditions tested for in newborn screening are actionable5
It is not acceptable for the Irish healthcare system to fail our children in the first days of their lives. Please take this opportunity to contact the Oireachtas members that represent constituents in your area. It’s time to Get Rare Aware and demand action.
HSE South West
Cork, Kerry
Fill in the form below for those in the catchment area for HSE Dublin and South East. Click submit and the email opposite will be sent on your behalf to all TDs and Senators representing patients in your area.
Dear Deputy/Senator,
It is not acceptable for the Irish healthcare system to fail our children in the first days of their lives. At present, Ireland screens newborn babies for less diseases than 75% of European countries, making us a significant negative outlier. Although many promises have been made since the establishment of the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee in 2019, only 1 new test has been delivered in the intervening 5 years.
Newborn screening directly impacts the lives of every child born in Ireland and a comprehensive program could lead to ~200 babies’ lives being saved or improved each year. The benefits of newborn screening are widely known and include the following:
- Screening and early diagnosis ensures earlier treatment and better health for life
- Delayed diagnosis has a significant financial impact on families
- The conditions tested for in newborn screening are actionable
Ireland needs a comprehensive newborn screening program that is adequately resourced and ensures that babies born in Ireland are screened for the European average of 18 conditions at a minimum. Please support all of the families in your constituency by calling for a comprehensive newborn screening program that will meet our children’s needs today and tomorrow.
Yours faithfully,
[Your name will be auto-inserted here]
