Dr. Eithne N? Longphuirt:

As a support to public health nurses, primary care psychology embedded in a primary care network can provide that extra link and support for public health nurses to do their job. It allows them to come back and consult in respect of what they can do regarding a mother who has a particular issue. As primary care psychology begins to learn more about how to provide a good service for mothers and infants together, we can work with public health nurses in that regard. They come to us to consult in respect of relationships - not just the mother or the baby, but how those two are getting on together. That is vital. Reference was made to the first 1,000 days, but the first 100 days are so important for the trajectory of an infant and have a significant implication for all health services in the future. If we can get that right, it will have significant benefits for people and for the economy.