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News: April 2008

Health plan takeover

30 April 2008 | Private Healthcare

HSF Health Plan, a Co Clare-based not-for-profit health cash plan operator, has bought the Irish business of UK operator, HSA, for an undisclosed sum. HSF Health Plan currently has over 100,000 Irish customers and provides a cash sum for claims... Read more

Students receive varying levels of medical training

Greg Baxter | 30 April 2008 | Research and Education

There is still significant inconsistency in the level of educational facilities in medical schools, according to the Medical Council’s Review of Medical Schools in Ireland 2007. Additionally, medical schools should take advantage of different training environments to address a capacity... Read more

St John’s re-accredited by HIQA

30 April 2008 | Health Management

St John’s Hospital, Limerick has become the first public hospital to be re-accredited under the Acute Care Accreditation Scheme granted by the Health Information and Quality Authority. St John’s was the first public hospital in the country to be accredited... Read more

New consultation rooms for Dublin centre

30 April 2008 | Planning and Development

Seven medical consultation rooms are to be built on Ushers Quay in Dublin’s city centre, if a planning permission is granted. Mr Kajetan Baranowski has applied to Dublin City Council for permission to change the use of offices on the... Read more

Connolly to temporarily close wards this summer

Gary Culliton | 30 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Patients will suffer as a result of major cutbacks announced by Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, which include month-long closures of medical and surgical wards this summer and a ban on repairing non-essential equipment, Fine Gael Dublin West TD Leo Varadkar... Read more

Portlaoise losing out to Taoiseach's Tullamore

Terence Cosgrave | 30 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Laois-Offaly TD Charles Flanagan has told Irish Medical Times there is worry in Laois that Portlaoise Hospital may suffer the same fate as Monaghan Hospital with a gradual downgrade of services in favour of Tullamore Hospital, which is the political... Read more

Time to break the silence as stroke patients suffer

Dr Dominick McCabe | 30 April 2008 | Features, Public Health

Dr Dominick McCabe, Consultant Neurologist, writes that severe under-resourcing and lack of organisation of TIA and stroke services leads to continued neglect and lack of prioritisation of patients with cerebrovascular disease. The facts about cerebrovascular disease are poorly publicised in... Read more

Cleft lip and palate conference

29 April 2008 | Public Health

The Dublin Cleft Centre Conference, entitled ‘Cleft lip and palate — the journey of care from birth to adulthood’ will take place in the Dublin Hilton Hotel on May 14. The aim of the conference is to provide an over-view... Read more

Bar needs to be raised on alcohol regulations

Ian McGuinness | 29 April 2008 | Public Health

A bureau of alcohol regulation (BAR), similar to the Office of Tobacco Control, is needed to co-ordinate actions that are aimed at reducing excessive alcohol consumption, a prominent consultant psychiatrist has said. Dr Siobhán Barry made the suggestion to IMT... Read more

Brain-injured patients left waiting two years for rehabilitation

Sandra Ryan | 29 April 2008 | Public Health

A Dail debate on acquired brain injury (ABI) organised by the Labour Party heard that people with the condition are waiting up to two years for a place in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire, the only hospital of... Read more

GPs must be proactive to avoid Tesco-isation

Sandra Ryan | 29 April 2008 | General Practice

The President of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) Dr Martin Daly has warned GPs that if they do not become pro-active in developing general practice it could become similar to the NHS, where private companies like the Virgin group are... Read more

GPs effective in chronic disease management

29 April 2008 | General Practice

The Department of Health’s new policy document on chronic disease management (CDM) has found that the current method of service delivery does not meet patient demand for services, and more CDM should take place in the primary care setting. According... Read more

IMO welcomes back Connaughton to talks

Ian McGuinness | 29 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

The Irish Medical Organisation has said it is pleased that the former chairman of the consultant contract talks, Mr Mark Connaughton, has become involved in ongoing attempts to resolve outstanding issues. Mr Fintan Hourihan, IMO Director of Industrial Relations, explained... Read more

Pilot scheme reporting drug dealers to be extended

Ian McGuinness | 29 April 2008 | Public Health

A pilot scheme to stop drug dealing in Blanchardstown, by the public providing information via phone, resulted in 100 reports being sent to the Gardaí, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs has said. The details were revealed after... Read more

Derry centre to treat north-west patients?

Ian McGuinness | 29 April 2008 | Public Health

The Department of Health has refused to state for definite whether or not patients from the south of Ireland will be treated at the new satellite radiation oncology centre expected to be established in Altnagelvin in Derry by 2015. A... Read more

Franciscans appeal conditions attached to medical centre decision

Ian McGuinness | 29 April 2008 | Planning and Development

The Franciscan Order in Dublin’s city centre has appealed conditions attached to a decision that granted them planning permission for medical services. The Franciscan Social Justice Initiative applied to Dublin City Council in March this year for permission to change... Read more

New BreastCheck radiography training centre

29 April 2008 | Public Health

BreastCheck, the National Breast Screening Programme, has established a new radiography training centre, BreastImaging. Established in association with the Diagnostic Imaging Programme in the School of Medicine and Medical Science, UCD and located at the BreastCheck Eccles Unit, the centre... Read more

IMO welcomes report on alcohol policies

29 April 2008 | Public Health

The IMO has welcomed the launch of the Report of the Government Advisory Group on Alcohol. “The recognition that public policy-making across Government departments will need to take account of the specific properties of alcohol is a landmark,” said Prof... Read more

Italy promotes 'safer' form of medical scanning

29 April 2008 | Foreign News

Italy is leading a European Union drive to produce medical and security scanning waves that could be a better and safer alternative to X-rays, the BBC has reported. ‘’T-waves could take over some of the jobs currently done by X-rays,... Read more

Shortage of hospital beds in Alicante region

29 April 2008 | Foreign News

Latest numbers show the Spanish province of Alicante, one of the most popular areas for tourists, to be well short of the national average number of hospital beds, a news report has claimed. The province of Alicante needs 32 per... Read more

Drug errors hurt one in 15 hospitalised kids

29 April 2008 | Foreign News

A new study reported by Associated Press (AP) has shown that medicine mix-ups, accidental overdoses and bad drug reactions harm roughly one in 15 hospitalised children. “The data tells us that experiencing harm as a result of your healthcare is... Read more

Infection control has improved, say NHS staff

29 April 2008 | Foreign News

NHS staff have reported improvements in infection control, support from managers and levels of job satisfaction and training opportunities, according to a survey released by the UK’s Healthcare Commission. The results showed 82 per cent believed their NHS Trust did... Read more

Home care worker stole from multiple sclerosis sufferer

Ed Madden | 29 April 2008 | Medico-Legal

Ed Madden BL on a UK Care Standards Tribunal case in which a woman appealed a decision that her name be included on the list of individuals unsuited to working with vulnerable adults. On 23 September 2002, Ann (not her... Read more

CareLink: major saving in working time

Gary Culliton | 29 April 2008 | Features, Information Technology

Gary Culliton reports on the amount of hospital staff time that can be saved with the use of remote monitoring devices, such as Medtronic's CareLink system. Belfast City Hospital has reported ‘phenomenal’ results in terms of staff time saved, following... Read more

Child protection procedures ignored

Sandra Ryan | 28 April 2008 | Features, Health Management

Sandra Ryan on the HSE-commissioned inquiry which found that a childcare lecturer remained in his post two years after being convicted of sexual offences. An inquiry commissioned by the HSE has published its report on Athlone Institute of Technology childcare... Read more

Challenging medical education

Greg Baxter | 27 April 2008 | Interviews, Research and Education

Greg Baxter spoke to Prof Geraldine MacCarrick, about the introduction of outcomes-based medical education. The principles of medical education that dominated the 20th century, proposed in 1910 by Abraham Flexner, stated that future doctors ought to spend years listening to... Read more

Doctors battle for CF resources

Derbhile Dromey | 26 April 2008 | Features, Public Health

Derbhile Dromey says that although some positive developments are taking place, facilities for CF patients are still lacking. Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are currently being treated in facilities which the 2005 Pollock Report found to be dangerous. But the proposed... Read more

30 years a-growing for Sligo GPs

Dr Phil Murray | 26 April 2008 | Features

Dr Phil Murray looks back at the history of the Co Sligo GPs' Society, which was founded in 1978 and has provided GPs in the area with many benefits, both personal and professional. In 1978, the GPs then resident and... Read more

E-health: System to predict glucose levels

25 April 2008 | Features, Information Technology

A personalised blood-glucose prediction tool is being developed for diabetes patients to grant them greater control in managing their condition A new EU collaborative e-health research project has been granted €7.1 million to find less intrusive means of determining and... Read more

HSE to discuss website failure with IMO

Gary Culliton | 25 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

The HSE is to enter into a process of non-binding arbitration with the IMO on the subject of the www.mygp.ie website on 28 April. This arbitration aims to address the IMO’s and HSE’s ‘mutual concerns’ regarding the currently defunct website.... Read more

Virtual research centres for primary care

Greg Baxter | 25 April 2008 | Research and Education

The Health Research Board will spend €10 million to fund the first ever virtual research centres in Ireland – one to help people suffering from diabetes or obesity and the other to protect vulnerable patient groups such as the elderly,... Read more

Mater to get CT scanner

25 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

A CT scanner is to be bought for the Mater Hospital’s accident and emergency department. The hospital recently invited interested parties to tender to supply the equipment. However, the procedure to award the contract to the winning party will not... Read more

Connolly to head up HRB

25 April 2008 | Research and Education

Mr Enda Connolly has been appointed Chief Executive of the Health Research Board (HRB). Currently Manager of the Industrial Development Authority’s (IDA) Life Sciences and Research, Development and Innovation Division, he will take up the new position in June 2008.... Read more

Irish GPs paid well says report

Ian McGuinness | 25 April 2008 | General Practice

GPs in Ireland are paid well when compared to their colleagues in the other original 15 European Union nations, a new report has said. Social Health Insurance: Further Options for Ireland, which was written by researchers at Trinity College Dublin... Read more

Early sex regretted by most

Mary Anne Kenny | 25 April 2008 | Public Health

The earlier a person’s first sexual experience, the more likely they are to regret it, a new Irish study on sexual health and relationships has found. The study, which was carried out by the Department of Health and the Crisis... Read more

Physical exams nearly as effective as lab tests in monitoring AIDS treatment

Greg Baxter | 25 April 2008 | Research and Education

Doctors who treat HIV-infected patients in poor countries can monitor AIDS treatments, using physical examination, nearly as effectively as doctors in rich countries monitor patients with expensive laboratory tests, according to a study in the Lancet. The study finds that... Read more

Doctor urges stem cell clarity

Gary Culliton | 24 April 2008 | Features

Gary Culliton speaks to a top Harvard scientist who claims a legal 'black hole' means Ireland is missing out on a huge research opportunity. The Irish Council for Bioethics this week launched its report on stem cell research, which has... Read more

GP numbers limit insurance options

Ian McGuinness | 24 April 2008 | General Practice

Ian McGuinness on a new report into the possibility of introducing social health insurance - and the manpower and funding problems the study has highlighted. The private market cannot be relied upon to provide more GPs for rural areas and... Read more

Doctors ignore working limits

Greg Baxter | 24 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

Young doctors choose to ignore limited working hours imposed for their own safety, and that is happening in places where efforts are being made to reduce hours under the European Working Time Directive, the Vice Dean of Medical Education at... Read more

Doctors ignore working limits

Greg Baxter | 24 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

Young doctors choose to ignore limited working hours imposed for their own safety, and that is happening in places where efforts are being made to reduce hours under the European Working Time Directive, the Vice Dean of Medical Education at... Read more

Alcohol consumption increased in 2007

Sandra Ryan | 24 April 2008 | Public Health

Last year there was a rise in alcohol consumption in Ireland for the first time in four years, according to new statistics published by the Health Service Executive (HSE). In 2007 there was a rise of 2.7 per cent in... Read more

Consultants will only vote on agreed contract

Greg Baxter | 24 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

Consultants will not be asked to vote on a document that is not fully agreed upon, the Assistant Secretary General of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) has told Irish Medical Times. The decision to recommend the contract to members... Read more

Call for embryo research

Gary Culliton | 23 April 2008 | Regulation

Research on human embryos should be allowed for the first time and a new State authority to oversee embryo research should be set up, a new report into stem cell therapies prepared by the Irish Council for Bioethics (ICB) urges.... Read more

Bon Secours gets re-accreditation

Sandra Ryan | 23 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Bon Secours Hospital Dublin has been awarded Re-Accreditation by Joint Commission International (JCI) until 2011, following a recent in-depth inspection by a JCI Survey Team. Bon Secours Hospital, Dublin was the first hospital in Ireland to obtain Accreditation by Joint... Read more

Dying patients' wishes should be respected

Ian McGuinness | 23 April 2008 | Public Health

Written documents that outline a dying patient’s wishes should be encouraged, according to a report on ‘end of life’ care for the elderly. The report, launched recently by the National Council on Ageing and Older People and the Irish Hospice... Read more

Education and research centre opens at Our Lady's Hospice

Greg Baxter | 23 April 2008 | Public Health

A €6.5 million Education & Research Centre has opened at Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross, Dublin. Palliative care, rheumatology and gerontology will be the focus of research at the Centre, an undergraduate and postgraduate facility for medical, nursing and allied... Read more

Better services for rape victims

Sandra Ryan | 23 April 2008 | Public Health

Forensic medical services for rape victims will soon be provided by specially-trained nurses, as part of a plan by the Department of Health to improve the fragmented services available in the area. The plan will also see the opening of... Read more

Chips could make virtual visits a reality

Greg Baxter | 22 April 2008 | Information Technology

The ‘bar code of the new millennium’ could allow doctors to make virtual housecalls, a Tralee symposium on radio frequency identification (RFID) heard. Tiny computer chips, which are linked to a sensor in the body, emit a unique radio-frequency that... Read more

No 'ban' on selling property but no sales can be made

Ian McGuinness | 22 April 2008 | Health Management

There is no blanket ban on selling Health Service Executive property, it has told Irish Medical Times. The clarification comes after HSE West Regional Forum members were informed by the Executive that: “The National Director of Estates has issued an... Read more

GPs miss Raynaud's

Mary Anne Kenny | 22 April 2008 | General Practice

Patients suffering from Raynaud’s or scleroderma are not getting the medical help they need, with an average diagnosis coming three years after first presenting with symptoms, according to a survey of 1,000 affected patients carried out by the Irish Raynaud’s... Read more

3,500 gain access to medical cards but Dublin loses out

Ian McGuinness | 22 April 2008 | General Practice

Three thousand and five hundred people have gained medical card eligibility. Statistics from the Primary Care Reimbursement Scheme show that there were 1,292,086 people with a full card on 1 April, which was an increase of 3,465 when compared to... Read more

No allowance in Dingle for Irish

Ian McGuinness | 22 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

Gaeltacht allowances for nurses should be discussed at a national level, the Labour Court has recommended. It made the suggestion while adjudicating on a row between the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) and Dingle Community Hospital recently. During submissions to the... Read more

Canada's new drug plan

22 April 2008 | Foreign News

Emer Mullins reports on a new system for approving drugs in Canada that has divided opinion among stakeholders in the healthcare system. The pharmaceutical ind-ustry, health experts and patient groups across Canada are strongly divided over whether the federal government’s... Read more

GPs under pressure to cut out of hours care

22 April 2008 | Foreign News

UK GPs who provide out-of-hours care are coming under pressure to cut the number of home visits and referrals they make. Pulse newspaper said Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), which were responsible for weekend and night-time care, employed private firms, groups... Read more

Iraq money would pay for health proposals

22 April 2008 | Foreign News

The New York Times has reported that Democratic presidential candidates, senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, have both said during their campaigns that funds spent on the war in Iraq are ‘crowding out urgent national needs’, such as an expansion... Read more

Climate change now impacting public health

22 April 2008 | Foreign News

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that vulnerable populations are at greatest risk of the projected impacts of climate change on health. Marking World Health Day in April, WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said climate-sensitive impacts on human health... Read more

Supreme Court dismisses husband's hepatitis C appeal

Ed Madden | 22 April 2008 | Medico-Legal

Ed Madden, BL, looks at a recent Supreme Court case in which the husband of a woman who contracted hepatitis C sought to re-litigate, after having first claimed for losses in 1997 In 1997, the husband of a woman who... Read more

Hitting drunk drivers where it hurts

Ian McGuinness | 21 April 2008 | Features, Medico-Legal

Ian McGuinness examines the obvious logic behind the idea of seizing drunk drivers' cars and wonders why sensible laws are not always enforced. Sometimes you hear an idea and just think, “Oh, that would work.” Then you wonder: “Why hasn’t... Read more

Irishwoman beats blisters to finish desert marathon

21 April 2008 | Features

A Cork-born Galway pharmacist has just completed a 245-kilometre marathon in the Sahahra desert in punishing heat that reached up to 50 degrees centigrade. Diana Hogan-Murphy - who is the daughter of Cork psychiatrist Dr Mary Hogan and orthopaedic surgeon... Read more

Ticking time-bomb of obesity epidemic

Sandra Ryan | 20 April 2008 | Features

Sandra Ryan on the dearth of Government policy to address the link between diet and diabetes and the consequences of Ireland's collective weight problem. A few years ago, a documentary in the UK warning about the coming obesity epidemic opened... Read more

Healthcare in a changing world

Greg Baxter | 19 April 2008 | Health Management

Greg Baxter spoke to Anne-Marie Feyer, PricewaterhouseCoopers Australian healthcare leader, about what Ireland and Australia can learn from each other Australia and Ireland face similar challenges in efforts to plan their health systems for the future, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)... Read more

Investigation into sale of mental health lands

Ian McGuinness | 18 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

The Comptroller and Aud-itor General, Mr John Purcell has asked his staff to look into the sale of lands owned by psychiatric hospitals. The move comes after the Irish Psychiatric Association sent him a copy of its recently published report,... Read more

Nenagh scanner stalled

Gary Culliton | 18 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Attempts to get a new €1m CT scanner operational in Nenagh Hospital have met with a ‘stone wall’ approach by the hospital because of the HSE’s national recruitment freeze. The scanner has not been used since it was installed in... Read more

Capacity crisis threatens the north east

Greg Baxter | 18 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Fears of a major capacity crisis in the northeast are on the rise as consultants in Monaghan General Hospital have appealed to colleagues in Cavan for support, and every GP in Co Monaghan has signed a letter sent to the... Read more

Minister must discuss changes say IMO

Ian McGuinness | 17 April 2008 | Public Health

Any attempts by the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, to ‘deregulate’ entry for GPs to the medical card scheme must be discussed with the Irish Medical Organisation, the union has said. Dr Ronan Boland, Chairman of the IMO GP Committee,... Read more

Australian expert urges bigger paramedic remit

Greg Baxter | 17 April 2008 | Foreign News

Paramedics should shoulder greater clinical responsibility if more remote areas are to receive high-quality coverage, a leading Australian healthcare expert told Irish Medical Times. Ms Anne-Marie Feyer, Healthcare Leader for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Australia, said solutions to the challenges of rationalisation... Read more

IDEA backs call to ban additives

Mary Anne Kenny | 17 April 2008 | Public Health

The Irish Doctors Environ-mental Association (IDEA) is backing a call by an international non-governmental organisation representing some 30,000 medical doctors worldwide for a total ban on artificial additives in children’s food. The move came after recent research published in The... Read more

Former President Hillery dies at home ages 84

Gary Culliton | 17 April 2008 | Features

Dr Patrick Hillery — the former Irish president and doctor — died last weekend aged 84. He was born on 2 May, 1923, at Miltown Malbay, Co Clare. He received his secondary education at Rockwell College, Co Tipperary. He went... Read more

Alzheimer's epidemic due

Gary Culliton | 17 April 2008 | Research and Education

Alzheimer’s will reach epidemic proportions within 40 years unless new disease-modifying therapies can be developed, a conference at the Mansion House in Dublin on 15 April heard. Alzheimer’s or a related dementia currently afflicts 38,000 people in Ireland but, due... Read more

Managing change - it's all about people

Barry O'Brien | 16 April 2008 | Features

Barry O'Brien on the sometimes difficult task of implementing new systems and the importance of holding proper consultation processes beforehand. Recent conversations with a number of GPs reminded me of the importance of change within organisations and how difficult it... Read more

UK pharmacists' role to expand

16 April 2008 | Features

UK proposals mean that patients could be treated for minor ailments in their local pharmacies and could even be screened there for sexually-transmitted diseases. Pharmacists look set to have an increased role in patient care in England, as the UK... Read more

Sewer stink delays mental health unit

Ian McGuinness | 16 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

A row over a sewer has delayed the building of a new mental health unit at Letterkenny General Hospital. The Health Service Executive North West applied to Letterkenny Town Council last August for permission to build the single storey unit... Read more

Call for national laboratory

Greg Baxter | 16 April 2008 | Public Health

Two influential groups representing laboratories have called on the HSE to provide the necessary resources to create a national reference laboratory to identify types of Clostridium difficile in health facilities. The Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA) and the Academy of... Read more

Beaumont to buy new ultrasounds

Ian McGuinness | 16 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Beaumont Hospital is to buy an unspecified number of ultrasound machines. The hospital recently invited companies to tender for a contract to provide it with four machines. A spokesperson for the hospital said that while Beaumont will purchase four large... Read more

Griffith retires from ‘Fighting Blindness’

Mary Anne Kenny | 16 April 2008 | Public Health

After 25 years, research campaigner Mr Michael Griffith has stepped down as chief executive of Fighting Blindness. Health Minister Mary Harney and leaders in the fields of science, health and the charity sector marked Mr Griffith’s retirement at an event... Read more

Mental health patients visit GPs more often

Greg Baxter | 15 April 2008 | General Practice

People with mental health problems visit GPs more often than people with physical problems, according to a study by the Health Research Board. The HRB National Psycho-logical Wellbeing and Distress Survey found that 10 per cent of all respondents sought... Read more

Nicotine addiction may be genetic —say EU researchers

Greg Baxter | 15 April 2008 | Public Health

Nicotine dependence may be genetic, according to a consortium of European researchers. A collaboration between 12 teams across seven European countries have discovered that a particular variant of a nicotine-receptor gene impacts smoking behaviour. Roughly half of the people of... Read more

Staff to come up with cost-cut ideas

Ian McGuinness | 15 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Management at the Rot-unda Hospital in Dublin has asked staff to come up with ideas that will save the institution money this year. The Master of the Rotunda, Dr Michael Geary; the Director of Midwifery and Nursing, Ms Pauline Treanor;... Read more

Cross-border GP initiative could cover entire region

Ian McGuinness | 15 April 2008 | General Practice

Cross border GP co-ops could be expanded throughout the entire border region if an evaluation of the two current pilot projects is favourable, Irish Medical Times understands. An analysis into the workings of the Donegal/Derry co-op (where residents from the... Read more

St Luke's to benefit most from posts

Ian McGuinness | 15 April 2008 | Public Health

St Luke’s Hospital will benefit more than any other institution from the 20 new consultant posts announced for the cancer strategy by the Health Service Executive. The Dublin 6 institution is to get four consultant radiologists. It will also share... Read more

Galway primary care centres announced

15 April 2008 | General Practice

The Health Service Executive has given details of where primary care centres and buildings are to be constructed in Galway City and the west of the county. The HSE said Knocknacarra (in Galway City), Tuam, Oughterard, south Connemara and Clifden... Read more

Hourihan leaves IMO for dentists

15 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

Mr Fintan Hourihan is leaving his position with the Irish Medical Organisation in June. The Director of Industrial Relations with the trade union is to take up the position of Chief Executive of the Irish Dental Association. The IDA represents... Read more

Elderly in Leopardstown hospital have 'no privacy'

Sandra Ryan | 15 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny (Mayo) criticised the Taoiseach for the lack of fac-ilitites at Leopardstown Park Hospital, which cares for the elderly. Deputy Kenny said he visited the hospital and saw that each ward has 21 beds that are... Read more

HSE tells deceased woman to attend for oncology services

15 April 2008 | Public Health

A mother of six was sent a letter from the HSE asking her to attend for oncology services on 23 September 2008, even though she has been dead for 17 years, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny told the Dáil. “One... Read more

Minister queried over HSE divisions

15 April 2008 | Health Management

Deputy Bernard Allen (FG-Cork North Central) asked the Minister for Health and Children if she plans to introduce a more regional structure for the Health Service Executive, with greater autonomy in managing budgets for four regional divisions. The Minister for... Read more

No staff for Mercy's ED

15 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is in negotiation with management at Mercy University Hospital, Cork over staffing levels for the building’s new accident and emergency unit, completed a year ago but still not in operation. Minister of State at the... Read more

Allocation of €3 million for obesity recommendations

15 April 2008 | Public Health

Deputy Seán Sherlock (Labour-Cork East) asked the Minister for Health and Children about the timeframe for delivering the recommendations contained in the National Taskforce on Obesity report, which was published in 2005, and if she will clarify which of the... Read more

BCG vaccine back in stock, says Minister

15 April 2008 | Public Health

The BCG vaccine, stocks of which have not been available in Ireland due to an international shortage, is now available, according to the Minister for Health, Deputy Mary Harney. “Unfortunately, it is not possible to stockpile the vaccine as it... Read more

AIDS causing teachers' deaths

15 April 2008 | Foreign News

More than 1,300, or about one-sixth, of Mozambique’s 9,000 teachers are dying annually of AIDS-related causes, which is leading to a lowering of the quality of education in the country, according to Education and Culture Minister, Aires Aly. In an... Read more

'Practical' screening programme for over 40s

15 April 2008 | Public Health

British Health Secretary Alan Johnson has said that pharmacies and community centres could be used to offer a new screening programme for a range of illnesses to increase the uptake amongst the population. He said there was a great clinical... Read more

'Practical' screening programme for over 40s

15 April 2008 | Public Health

British Health Secretary Alan Johnson has said that pharmacies and community centres could be used to offer a new screening programme for a range of illnesses to increase the uptake amongst the population. He said there was a great clinical... Read more

Medical students lobby on costs

15 April 2008 | Foreign News

Nearly 300 medical students and doctors in training who are members of the American Medical Association (AMA) have urged Congress to act on reducing student debt, adopt reforms to cover the uninsured and stop Medicare payment cuts so that the... Read more

Canada urged to act on new child health report

15 April 2008 | Foreign News

The Canadian Paediatric Society, the Canadian Medical Association and the College of Family Physicians of Canada are urging the Federal Government to act quickly on the recommendations in a report released by its Advisor on Healthy Children and Youth, Dr... Read more

HSE accused of 'pre-empting' pricing

15 April 2008 | Features

Gary Culliton on claims that the HSE is making changes to the interim pharmacy contract before the establishment of an independent pricing body. The HSE, which has commenced a public consultation process to identify the pharmaceutical services it requires, has... Read more

Care worker accused of sexual assault

Ed Madden | 15 April 2008 | Medico-Legal

Ed Madden, BL, looks at a recent UK Care Standards Tribunal case in which the former manager of a care home appealed against a decision made by the Secretary of State for Health. In April 2002, ‘NJ’ was appointed manager... Read more

Clare doctors 'betrayed'

15 April 2008 | Features

The Clare Faculty of the ICGP is concerned due to an apparent lack of plans by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive to continue 24-hour, on-call acute services at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Ennis Not one... Read more

Control the mind, win the game

Sandra Ryan | 13 April 2008 | Features

Sandra Ryan spoke to sports psychologist Prof Aidan Moran about what he calls the 'last frontier' of sport science and medicine. During the 1970 British Open, golfer Doug Sanders paused on the 18th hole before taking what was presumed to... Read more

Give overseas docs 'a fair go'

Dr Ernan Hession | 13 April 2008 | Features

Dr Ernan Hession looks at the issue of recruiting and monitoring overseas-trained doctors, which has hit the headlines again recently in Australia. There have been two recent cases making national news here in Australia regarding overseas-trained doctors. One concerns a... Read more

Tuberculosis: the problem returns with a new and alarming complexity

Dr Joseph Keane | 12 April 2008 | Features

Dr Joseph Keane on the increasing number of TB cases in Ireland and the challenges to existing services caused by the emergence of a multiple drug resistant form of the disease. The number of cases of tuberculosis (TB) in Ireland... Read more

E-health: Linked systems to improve patient care

11 April 2008 | Information Technology

A web-based records system is set to link all major public hospitals in South Australia, as part of the state government's health reform programme A new web-based information system is set to give nurses and midwives in South Australia (SA)... Read more

Hopes high for new contract by next week

Greg Baxter | 11 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

The Secretary General of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) told Irish Medical Times he hopes to bring an agreed contract before a vote by members by the end of next week. Mr Finbarr Fitzpatrick said significant points of detail... Read more

European Court rules against mother

Ed Madden | 11 April 2008 | Medico-Legal

Ed Madden, BL, looks at a recent decision where the European Court of Human Rights ruled on the admissibility of a claim by a mother that there had been a breach of duty on the part of the various NHS... Read more

New digital service may mean more efficiency

Sandra Ryan | 11 April 2008 | Public Health

BreastCheck has become the first screening programme in the world to provide a fully digital mammography service, although the breast screening service is still not available nationwide. The Minister for Health, Mary Harney, launched the new digital service this week,... Read more

The IMO wants matters sorted by next week

Ian McGuinness | 11 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

The Irish Medical Organis-ation has said it wants the outstanding matters in the consultant contract talks to be dealt with by next week. Mr Fintan Hourihan - who is leaving the IMO shortly to become the new CEO of the... Read more

Audit tells cancer story

Greg Baxter | 11 April 2008 | Public Health

A six-year audit of cancer services at St James’s Hospital has shown dramatic increases in urological and colorectal cancers and lymphoma at the hospital since 2001, as well as survival rates that compare the hospital favourably with ‘the best international... Read more

Doctors say transfer will cause chaos

Greg Baxter | 11 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Catastrophe may result from the ongoing transfer of acute medical work from Monaghan to a badly-overcrowded Cavan General Hospital, according to a letter sent by four Monanaghan doctors to the HSE. The expectation that 22 new beds at Cavan to... Read more

Nursing home beds are becoming more private

Greg Baxter | 11 April 2008 | Private Healthcare

Private nursing home beds now outnumber public beds at a rate of almost two to one, and while the total number of beds has increased significantly, so has the average weekly rate. According to the Annual Private Nursing Home Study... Read more

UCC women's research centre opens

Gary Culliton | 10 April 2008 | Research and Education

The first purpose-built, integrated research and clinical centre focusing on women’s health and reproduction in Ireland was officially opened last Friday by Mr Micheál Martin, TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH). Named after... Read more

New Beaumont unit to be finished in November

Greg Baxter | 10 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

A new building at Beaumont Hospital with 28 single rooms, six dedicated cystic fibrosis beds and eight high-dependency beds will be finished in November, a Beaumont spokesman told Irish Medical Times. The three-story structure, which will cost about d6.5 million,... Read more

Scanner kept in filling station

Gary Culliton | 10 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

A €0.5 million CT scanner remains in storage behind a Monaghan filling station, despite a ‘leaded room’ having been allocated for such a facility at Monaghan General Hospital. The Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed that the CT scanner is in... Read more

CFA calls for specialists

Greg Baxter | 09 April 2008 | Public Health

The Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland has called on the Health Service Executive to introduce specialist transplant co-ordinators in all regional hospitals in order to increase Ireland’s extremely low rate of conversion of potential donors to recovered organs. Ireland, like... Read more

Lack of awareness of PSP causes suffering

Mary Anne Kenny | 09 April 2008 | Public Health

People in Ireland suffering from the neurological disease, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) are suffering needlessly, due mainly to a lack of awareness about the condition, said Dr Angela Wilson, Director of Medical Awareness and Research with the PSP Association (PSPA),... Read more

GPs' workload a 'danger to health'

Ian McGuinness | 09 April 2008 | General Practice

GPs are in danger of suffering from heart attacks and other medical problems because of the workload that is being foisted on them, a Cork City GP has said. Dr Dan Hinds told Irish Medical Times: “We can’t physically do... Read more

Survey to show Irish GP requirements

Sandra Ryan | 09 April 2008 | General Practice

A major survey of Irish GPs is ongoing in the ICGP, which will reveal the results at a GP conference in Croke Park this month, where current problems in general practice, and how to address them, will be discussed. The... Read more

Co-location offers chance of providing teaching services

Ian McGuinness | 09 April 2008 | Private Healthcare

Co-located hospitals present another opportunity for consultants to provide teaching services and research, a prominent consultant obstetrician/ gynaecologist has claimed. Prof John Higgins, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Cork University Maternity Hospital and UCC Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,... Read more

Joe Jacob's iodine tablets withdrawn

Gary Culliton | 09 April 2008 | Public Health

The Minister for Health Mary Harney has decided, ‘on the basis of expert risk management advice’, not to re-issue iodine tablets. During 2002, iodine tablets, intended to be taken in the event of a major nuclear accident that might result... Read more

GAA launches drug and alcohol guide

Greg Baxter | 09 April 2008 | Public Health

The GAA has introduced several new resources designed to reduce alcohol and drug misuse and abuse among athletes as part of its National Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Programme. The GAA launched a website to help GAA clubs implement... Read more

Psychiatric admissions delayed due to lack of specialist services

Ian McGuinness | 08 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Emergency admissions to psychiatric institutions are being delayed for several days because of the lack of such specialist services, Dr Siobhán Barry told the recent Irish Medical Organisation AGM. The Dublin-based consultant psychiatrist said that there is only one facility... Read more

Rallying call to consultants

Ian McGuinness | 08 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

A rallying call has been made for more consultants, including surgeons, to speak out against the stripping of services from local hospitals. Dr Henry Finnegan, a prominent Galway GP, made the comments after the Irish Medical Organisation debated two motions... Read more

HSE appoints 2,679 staff in 2007

08 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

The Health Service Executive appointed 2,679 full-time staff in 2007, according to the Commission for Public Service Appointments. The Commission’s 2007 Annual Report showed that 371 management positions and 993 nursing positions were filled last year. There were 490 new... Read more

Suicide problem is 'ignored' by Department of Health

Ian McGuinness | 08 April 2008 |

The recommendations of the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention have been “practically ignored”, according to Deputy Dan Neville. The Limerick West Fine Gael TD attacked the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, and the Minister of State at the... Read more

Psych patients sent to unaccredited facilities

08 April 2008 | Health Management

Deputy Dan Neville (FG, Limerick West) asked about psychiatric patients who are sent to unaccredited mental health facilities by the Health Service Executive. He wanted to know how many patients were sent to such institutions. In addition, he wanted to... Read more

Target review for care teams

08 April 2008 | General Practice

Targets for the establishment of primary care teams are to be reviewed this year, the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, has revealed. The Minister claimed 200 teams were already established. She added that the Government was committed, under the social... Read more

Midlands ambulances got help from fire services

08 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caolain (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) wanted to know whether the ambulance service in the midlands was no longer, for financial reasons, seeking help from the fire service. He wanted to know if this was the case in relation to... Read more

Healthcare networks to be linked

Emer Mullins | 08 April 2008 | Foreign News

Emer Mullins reports on the advent of telehealth, where doctors —and their patients' files — will be linked into a computerised network. In rural areas of the USA, where accessing health care is often a challenge, the doctors and patients... Read more

Study shows a drop in euthanasia

08 April 2008 | Foreign News

Terminally-ill patients in the Netherlands increasingly receive drugs to render them unconscious until death, according to a study that suggests people are substituting deep sedation for legal euthanasia. According to Reuters news agency, researchers from Erasmus University Medical Centre in... Read more

Death reopens suicide debate

08 April 2008 | Foreign News

A French woman who had been refused permission for an assisted suicide was found dead in the latest twist to a drama that has reopened a euthanasia debate the country thought it had concluded three years ago, Reuters news agency... Read more

Overseas operations can be harmful — survey

08 April 2008 | Foreign News

People who combine a foreign holiday with an operation are frequently left to deal with unpleasant complications, a Which? magazine survey has claimed. The data showed that 18 per cent of respondents had health problems following treatment, including infections, while... Read more

HIQA: devastating O'Malley fallout

Gary Culliton | 08 April 2008 | Features

Gary Culliton examines some of the fallout from the HIQA report on the Rebecca O'Malley cancer case and looks at the report's recommendations. The Medical Council has said it will fully examine the findings of the Health Information and Quality... Read more

Not much done, lots more to do

Greg Baxter | 08 April 2008 | Features

Greg Baxter assesses Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's legacy regarding the health service and speculates on Mary Harney's future as the Minister for Health. The relationship bet-ween Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Minister for Health Mary Harney has been almost symbiotic. Mr Ahern... Read more

Proposal for new medical grade fails

Sandra Ryan | 04 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

A proposal from a number of non-EU doctors asking the IMO to consider the introduction of a medical staff grade in Irish hospitals received criticism and was referred to the IMO Council, due to concern over what it might mean... Read more

Smear tests go abroad

Greg Baxter | 04 April 2008 | Public Health

At least 60 per cent of cervical smear tests carried out at HSE hospitals will be sent abroad once a massive tender process for cytology screening services is complete. Irish Medical Times has learned that Ireland’s largest cytology laboratories –... Read more

Doctor fails to prevent Fitness to Practice inquiry

Ed Madden | 04 April 2008 | Features

Ed Madden, BL, looks at a case in which a doctor sought to restrain the Fitness to Practice Committee from holding an inquiry into allegations of sexual assault made against him On 18 December 2006, the Fitness to Practice Committee... Read more

Middle-managers should be let go

Ian McGuinness | 04 April 2008 | Health Management

Some middle management in the health service should be made redundant in order to free up funding to enable the extra 1,500 consultants promised by the Government to be hired. Prof John Higgins, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cork University... Read more

One in three fail paternity

Greg Baxter | 04 April 2008 | Public Health

Ireland’s largest paternity test provider has revealed that one in three men tested proves not to be the biological parent. Ormonde Quay Paternity Services said the figure was based on about 300 tests carried out last year, with 35 per... Read more

Mortality increases by hospital distance

Terence Cosgrave | 04 April 2008 | Public Health

A UK study presented at the IMO conference in Killarney has found a one per cent increase in mortality with each 10 kilometre increase in journey distances from hospitals. The study was described by one of its authors – research... Read more

Doctors should be able to work past retirement

Sandra Ryan | 04 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

The IMO wants greater flexibility for GPs who are about to retire, to allow them to choose to continue working past the current fixed retirement age of 65 or 70. Doctors who reach official retirement age are told they must... Read more

Irish medics for Chad mission

Gary Culliton | 03 April 2008 | Features

Gary Culliton reports on the Defence Forces' mission to a troubled area in Chad, which was initially delayed because medical facilities and Medevac were not in place. The Defence Forces’ mission to Chad – which was delayed because ‘key enabling... Read more

Rapid genetic test for GPs

Gary Culliton | 03 April 2008 | Research and Education

Gary Culliton on a new DNA testing device, developed in Cork, which will allow GPs to select the most appropriate drug for patients and to customise dosage. The Tyndall National Institute — a scientific research institute and graduate school in... Read more

Consultants attack cancer control plan

Sandra Ryan | 03 April 2008 | Public Health

The HSE’s cancer control strategy came under fire at the AGM, where a motion was passed asking the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, to commission a ‘patient impact assessment’, by consulting with doctors and patients, before any changes in the... Read more

RCPI review O'Malley recommendations

Gary Culliton | 03 April 2008 | Public Health

The Faculty of Pathology, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) plans to ask an established subcommittee of the Faculty to review the recommendations of the Rebecca O’Malley report and make proposals as to how the Faculty may best respond... Read more

IMO willing to take legal action on GP contract

Sandra Ryan | 03 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

The IMO is willing to take legal and industrial action if progress is not made on a new GP contract, which has been delayed over the confusion about the State’s ability to negotiate with GPs directly on fees under Competition... Read more

Ireland answers the call for help after earthquake devastation

Mr Javaid Butt | 03 April 2008 | Features

Mr Javaid Butt, Consultant Surgeon, describes how his home region was devastated by the South Asia earthquake and how Irish aid efforts have made a lasting difference to the survivors of the disaster. The South Asia earthquake in October 2005... Read more

HSE power 'against natural justice'

Sandra Ryan | 03 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

The Health Service Executive (HSE) came under severe criticism at last weekend’s IMO AGM in Killarney, with CEO Mr George McNeice saying it was against natural justice to give such power to a monopoly. “Isolating groups, issuing diktats, leaving employees... Read more

Draft consultant contract delay

Ian McGuinness | 03 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

The Irish Medical Organ-isation and the Minister for Health are still at loggerheads over the draft consultant contract document, which was given to the union by the employers’ side last week. Mr Fintan Hourihan, Director of Industrial Relations with the... Read more

Cars 11 times worse than bars on smoke

Ian McGuinness | 03 April 2008 | Public Health

Children who travel in cars where an adult is smoking are exposed to 11 times the amount of tobacco smoke than is to be found in the smokiest of bars, Dr Fenton Howell, IMO Director of Public Health, said at... Read more

Questions over Harney's future as Taoiseach resigns

Greg Baxter | 02 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

The Irish Medical Organisation is prepared to work in partnership with any Minister for Health, whether or not the Taoiseach’s resignation in May jeopardises Ms Mary Harney’s position. IMO President Dr Martin Daly speculated that the resignation of Bertie Ahern... Read more

Speech warns of lingering bitterness

Sandra Ryan | 02 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

In his first address to colleagues as President of the IMO, Dr Martin Daly warned of a crisis looming in the profession because of the “dearth of relationship building and complete dissociation of goodwill on both sides about the delivery... Read more

Cases fall as docs go home

Terence Cosgrave | 02 April 2008 | Medico-Legal

Current forensic medicine in Ireland is ad hoc and patchy and, in many cases, results in individuals not getting proper justice from the legal system, according to Prof Denis Cusack – a doctor and barrister who spoke at the IMO’s... Read more

GPs warned to be wary of becoming mentors to nurses prescribing

Sandra Ryan | 02 April 2008 | General Practice

GPs should be wary of becoming ‘mentors’ to nurses training to prescribe, as they may not realise the work it entails, according to the new Chair of the IMO’s GP Committee, Dr Ronan Boland. Doctors at the IMO’s AGM were... Read more

GPs should stop HSE co-operation

Sandra Ryan | 02 April 2008 | General Practice

A Wexford GP has sugges-ted that GPs withdraw their co-operation from the Health Service Executive’s plan for primary care teams, which received strong criticism from doctors at the IMO AGM due to the continued lack of progress on developing the... Read more

IMO calls for public HSE meetings

02 April 2008 | Health Management

The IMO has called on the HSE to make its Board meetings public and accountable. Past President Dr Christine O’Malley said no-one even knows who is on the Board, what decisions are made or what takes place at meetings. “We... Read more

Tallaght gets new Acting CEO

02 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Tallaght Hospital has appointed Dr Gerry Fitzpatrick as Acting Chief Executive Officer to cover the absence of the current CEO, Mr Michael Lyons, who is ill. Dr Fitzpatrick has been Medical Director of Tallaght since 2002. His appointment begins immediately.... Read more

Children find it easy to buy cigarettes — report

Greg Baxter | 02 April 2008 | Public Health

Mr Éamonn Rossi, OTC Chief Executive, stated that refusal rates are at an unacceptable level. “Best practice shows that very high compliance rates are necessary to impact sales to minors. This report highlights a strong and clear correlation between the... Read more

EDs still unfit for use after 2 years

Greg Baxter | 02 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Seven emergency departments identified as “unfit for purpose” by the ED Task Force are still in that condition two years after the Minister for Health declared ED overcrowding a national emergency, the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IEAM) has warned.... Read more

Cigarette price rises would lead to smuggling

Ian McGuinness | 02 April 2008 | Public Health

Raising the price of cigar-ettes could lead to a rise in tobacco smuggling, Dr Bernard Ruane told the IMO’s Annual General Conference. The GP said that when he lived in Canada, the government there raised the price of tobacco by... Read more

Mercy’s casualty department idle over nursing row

Ian McGuinness | 02 April 2008 | Hospital Medicine

A new casualty department at the Mercy University Hospital in Cork is lying idle because of a row over nurse staffing levels, according to a consultant working there. Dr Neil Brennan, a Consultant in Respiratory and General Internal Medicine, told... Read more

GPs closing patient lists

Sandra Ryan | 02 April 2008 | Industrial Relations

GPs around the country are reacting to the pressures of under-funding and a shortage of doctors by withdrawing services and closing their practices to new patients. Dozens of general practices in the northeast are among many that have closed their... Read more

Shooting from the hip

Gary Culliton | 02 April 2008 | Interviews

Gary Culliton talks about the problems of Ireland's HSE with the Irish-born troubleshooter and presenter of BBC's 'Can Gerry Robinson fix the NHS?' It doesn’t matter what you pay a Chief Executive, if you get an organisation that works,” according... Read more

'A Vision for Change' blindsided by cuts and lack of implementation

Fiona Crowley | 02 April 2008 | Features

“Everyone has the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of mental health.” Article 12(1), International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. At the end of January - to little fanfare - the Health Service Executive (HSE)... Read more

Major reform needed to curb drinking

02 April 2008 | Interviews

The Government may have to make decisions, in the fight against alcohol abuse, which will result in a loss of money for the exchequer, a prominent consultant psychiatrist has warned. Dr Siobhán Barry, who appeared last week before the Oireachtas... Read more

Risk to patients as smear tests are to be sent abroad

By Greg Baxter | 01 April 2008 | Health Management

At least 60 per cent of cervical smear tests carried out at HSE hospitals will be sent abroad once a massive tender process for cytology screening services is complete. Irish Medical Times has learned that Ireland’s largest cytology laboratories –... Read more