Funding for additional nurse specialists in Down syndrome across the lifespan

Down syndrome affects all the cells in the body. Along with Down syndrome come many specific health implications and these are best dealt with by clinical specialists who have an overview of the multiple health needs of children and adults with Down syndrome.

At the moment, there is just one clinical nurse specialist post based at Trinity College Dublin, Department of Paediatrics in the National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght. The post is supported and managed by Down Syndrome Ireland.

The post is supported and managed by Down Syndrome Ireland.

For this reason, Down Syndrome Ireland is calling for additional resources to fund clinical nurse specialist-led clinics across Ireland for both children and adults with Down syndrome.

The model is popular with families and hospital staff – it streamlines appointments, provides specialist advice to parents and helps ensure that the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group guidelines are followed.