The HSE has implemented the international reference measurement system HbA1c for diabetes, to identify those at greater risk of developing complications and to assess the effectiveness of care.
Technology to pinpoint need for invasive tests
June 1, 2010 By 3 Comments
With innovative technology, it may be possible to screen for stomach and colon cancer and identify patients who need more invasive tests such as colonoscopy, noted Prof Colm Ó Moráin when he delivered the 50th Graves Lecture hosted by the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland last week. The Trinity College Professor of Gastroenterology believes [...]
‘Phoney war’ on shortage
May 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The Chairman of the IMO NCHD Committee has described recent predictions of an impending crisis in NCHD numbers as a ‘phoney war’. Dr Matt Sadlier told IMT that it would probably only be in the week before the July changeover that a definite idea of the numbers would emerge, and thus the possible implications for [...]
Faster consultant access needed
May 27, 2010 By 1 Comment
It is because of expected reductions in applications for NCHD posts – and not because of budgetary challenges – that the HSE is seeking “reductions in tiered on-call and improved cross-cover arrangements”, Health Minister Harney has claimed. Speaking in the Dáil, she said: “Instead of cases being referred through successive tiers of doctors, we need [...]
HIPE reveals decreased inpatient discharges
May 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Day-patient discharges increased by 7.3 per cent and inpatient discharges decreased by 0.2 per cent between 2007-’08, according to the latest ESRI hospital activity figures. The report — which presents information on discharges from acute public hospitals participating in the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry scheme (HIPE) in 2008 — reveals that close to 1.37 million discharges [...]
Bed closures will lead to cancelled procedures and longer waiting lists – Reilly
May 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The Government is presiding over the closure of almost a quarter of the hospital beds in the country, the Fine Gael Health Spokesperson, Dr James Reilly, has claimed. HSE figures show that there are over 1,500 beds closed or unavailable around the country for a variety of reasons including delayed discharges. Three hundred and thirty-three [...]
Five hospitals are targeted by NTPF
May 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Greater efforts could be made to cut waiting times of over 12 months at five hospitals across the country, according to the Chief Executive of the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). CEO Pat O’Byrne said the Fund was still experiencing difficulties with regard to Tallaght, Tullamore, Crumlin, Temple Street and Limerick Regional hospitals. “If a [...]
Psychiatrists reply to ‘speculation’ on risks
May 24, 2010 By 1 Comment
The training body for psychiatrists in this country has said that there is ‘no evidence’ of a link existing between antidepressant use and homicide, and that research has failed to establish a causal link between the use of these medications and suicide. In a detailed three-page document released recently, the College of Psychiatry of Ireland [...]
‘New crisis’ from NCHD cuts
May 21, 2010 By 1 Comment
The IHCA is to meet the HSE at the end of the month to discuss the implications of a planned 900 drop in NCHD posts across the health service this July, which the Association has described as a ‘new and unnecessary crisis in the Irish health system’. The consultants believe the Executive is going to [...]
Finance stalls Beaumont’s risk review plan
May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The Department of Finance has put the brakes on an urgent risk assessment of Beaumont Hospital’s information system (BHIS), the failure of which could pose a risk to patient safety. The hardware and software underlying the BHIS has been deemed ‘obsolete’ by the hospital and is based on technology that is more than 20 years [...]