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News: July 2008

HIQA calculate 'cost per life gained'

Gary Culliton | 31 July 2008 | Interviews, Public Health

Gary Culliton reports on HIQA's Health Technology Assessment Directorate, which is charged with establising the cost-effectiveness of new public initiatives. A Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is about more than deciding whether a programme is cost-effective. HIQA’s cervical cancer HTA recently... Read more

'Robot' improves stroke treatment

Gary Culliton | 31 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine, Information Technology

Stroke patients in Tallaght Hospital are now receiving treatment at the hands of a remote presence (RP7) robot doctor currently on trial in the hospital. This is the first of its kind in Ireland. The RP7 device would be used... Read more

ACS patient claims she did not get follow-up care

Gary Culliton | 31 July 2008 | Private Healthcare

A total of 12 to 14 people who have been subject to gastric banding procedures in Leeds, Belgium, London and at Dublin’s Advanced Cosmetic Surgery (ACS, which is now in liquidation) now have to get treatment at Dublin’s Weight Management... Read more

Oireachtas Committee to review CMH move

Mary Anne Kenny | 31 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine, Planning and Development

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children is to review the proposed move of the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) to a site adjacent to the planned prison site at Thorton Hall, north Dublin. A delegation from the Committee inspected... Read more

NUIG doctor selected for exemplary teaching award

Terence Cosgrave | 31 July 2008 | Research and Education

Dr Peter Cantillon of the Department of General Practice in NUI Galway has been selected for one of five national awards. Dr Cantillon will be honoured by the National Academy for the Integration of Research & Teaching and Learning (NAIRTL)... Read more

GP fees were not part of screening contract talks

Ian McGuinness | 31 July 2008 | General Practice, Public Health

The fees payable to GPs for participating in Ireland’s cervical screening programme, which is expected to begin in the autumn, did not form part of the discussions between the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and the National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS).... Read more

Treatment delay: up to 12 cancers not spotted on X-ray

Gary Culliton | 30 July 2008 | Public Health

Another cancer nightmare looms for Health Minister Harney: the look-back inquiry into radiology in the north east has established that treatment was delayed in up to a dozen further cases of lung cancer, where the disease was not spotted on... Read more

Permission sought for new Churchtown medical centre

Ian McGuinness | 30 July 2008 | Planning and Development

A planning application for new medical centre and pharmacy on the Churchtown Road in Dublin 14 has been submitted to Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. The applicants for the development, which would be located at the Texaco service station, are listed... Read more

Dublin 4 medical centre appealed to An Bord Pleanála

Ian McGuinness | 30 July 2008 | Planning and Development, Private Healthcare

An attempt to get planning permission for a medical centre and pharmacy in Dublin 4 has failed, but has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála. The applicants — James Byrne, Michael McElligot, Peter Crowley and Neill Hughes — asked Dublin... Read more

Gates and Bloomberg invest in smoking cessation

Terence Cosgrave | 30 July 2008 | Public Health

Public health doctors in Ireland and around the world will be delighted at the news that two of the world’s richest men are investing a huge sum of money into smoking cessation in a bid to cut smoking rates around... Read more

Touchstone's planning problems delay centre

Ian McGuinness | 29 July 2008 | Planning and Development, Private Healthcare

Touchstone Healthcare’s initiative to build a primary care centre in Tipperary has run into planning difficulties, with appeals being made against Thurles Town Council’s decision to grant permission for the proposed development. While one appeal was declared invalid by An... Read more

New infusion unit for Mullingar

Greg Baxter | 29 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Thousands of patients in the midlands who need infusion treatment no longer have to travel to Dublin, as a new specialist infusion unit has opened in St Francis Private Hospital in Mullingar. The unit will be operated by Point of... Read more

Malaysian doctor honoured by RCSI

29 July 2008 | Research and Education

Prof Tom Gorey introduced Tan Sri Datuk Dr Ismail Merican (the titles preceeding the ‘Dr’ are royal) as an ideal role model for the health sciences graduates of today, as he received the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland’s highest... Read more

Galway to get 20-bed psychiatric facility for children and teens

Ian McGuinness | 25 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine, Planning and Development

Preparations are continuing for the construction of a new 20-bed in-patient psychiatric facility for children and adolescents in Galway. The HSE is now looking for a company or companies to build the facility at Merlin Park Hospital in the city.... Read more

HSE, VHI have the highest CEO salaries in health services

Ian McGuinness | 25 July 2008 | Health Management

Between €2.233 million and €2.386 million in salaries is being paid to the chief executive officers of the 16 agencies that are under the control of the Department of Health. Figures released by the Department show that the largest salary... Read more

Health spending up for 2008

Ian McGuinness | 25 July 2008 | Health Management

Nearly €711 million extra was spent on health services in this country in the first six months of this year when compared to the same period in 2007, according to Government figures. The statistics show that just over €6.809 billion... Read more

'Bonfire of the Quangos' to begin

Gary Culliton | 25 July 2008 | Health Management

Round one in the Government’s ‘bonfire of the quangos’ will mean a major shakeup within the Department of Health. The National Cancer Screening Service Board and the National Cancer Registry of Ireland, along with a number of other cancer quangos,... Read more

Atlantic Philanthropies elects Prof William Hall

Mary Anne Kenny | 25 July 2008 | Research and Education

Prof William Hall from the UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science, and Director of the Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases, has been elected to the board of The Atlantic Philanthropies. The Atlantic Philanthropies are dedicated to tackling problems... Read more

Vhi examines solvency issue

Gary Culliton | 25 July 2008 | Private Healthcare

Vhi Healthcare is now examining ‘various other sources of funding, including but not limited to reinsurance’, as last week’s Supreme Court risk equalisation (RE) decision dealt a body blow to the insurer’s solvency situation. The VHI Amendment Act stipulates that... Read more

No money, no co-location

Gary Culliton | 25 July 2008 | Planning and Development, Private Healthcare

Beacon Medical Group’s co-located hospital at the Mid-West Regional in Limerick is the first in the country to get a final grant of planning permission, after two appeals to An Bord Pleanála – one involving Socialist Party leader Joe Higgins... Read more

MASH unit founder dies at 99

24 July 2008 | Obituary

The world’s most famous heart surgeon, Michael E. DeBakey, died this month aged ninety-nine. Dr DeBakey’s career spanned seventy years, sixty of which he spent at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, where he passed away on July 11.... Read more

NUI Galway has made major changes to cut risk

Greg Baxter | 24 July 2008 | Public Health

Major changes have been made that will decrease the risk of breast cancer misdiagnosis, according to the Faculty of Pathology, RCPI, and Galway University Hospitals. The HIQA report found that two errors were made in the examination and interpretation of... Read more

HSE hire agency to recruit consultants

Ian McGuinness | 24 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

The Health Service Executive (HSE) wants to hire an agency to recruit medical consultants worldwide, it has been revealed. The HSE invited recruitment agencies to submit tenders for the contract. The Executive said that the process of recruiting internationally will... Read more

Labour Relations Commission invites IMPACT and HSE to talks

By Ian McGuinness | 23 July 2008 | Industrial Relations

The Labour Relations Commission has invited IMPACT and the Health Service Executive to talks on Thursday, the trade union has said. IMPACT, which represents a range of healthcare workers, said it would attend the talks, which aim to find a... Read more

Smear service on course for autumn

Ian McGuinness | 23 July 2008 | Public Health

General practitioners will be actively involved in the cervical smear screening programme within one or two months, the National Cancer Screening Service has said. A spokeswoman for the Service said that the development was related to the contract talks the... Read more

‘Narrative medicine’ can help ease pain

Greg Baxter | 23 July 2008 | Public Health

Cancer patients who write down their emotional thoughts – a process known as ‘narrative medicine’ – can experience an improvement in pain and general well-being, according to a new study in the Journal of Pain & Symptom Management. Narrative medicine... Read more

HSE Community Games are launched

23 July 2008 | Public Health

An estimated 6,500 young people are set to take part in this year’s HSE Community Games National Finals, which were officially launched in Dublin’s Docklands last Sunday. The National Finals themselves take place from 16-17 August and from 23-24 August... Read more

New obesity surgery clinic for Dublin 4

Gary Culliton | 22 July 2008 | Public Health

An obesity surgery clinic has opened in Donnybrook, Dublin, charging between €5,000 and nearly €20,000 for procedures. Obesity Solutions specialises in gastro-abdominal surgery including gastric banding, gastric ballooning, gastric bypass and stomach reduction. It is owned by Q Medical and... Read more

Tallaght Hospital charity loses €1.86m

Ian McGuinness | 22 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

The Adelaide Hospital Society lost €1.86 million in net assets in 2007, according to the charity’s latest financial statements, which were presented to the Companies Registration Office recently. However, the Society, which provides funds for Tallaght Hospital, still had net... Read more

In-store ban on tobacco advertising welcomed

Mary Anne Kenny | 22 July 2008 | Public Health

ASH Ireland has welcomed the announcement that ‘point of sale’ advertising and promotion of tobacco products will be removed from all of the country’s retail outlets next year. The ban on in-store advertising will come into effect on 1 July... Read more

More people detained against their wishes

Ian McGuinness | 22 July 2008 | Public Health

More people are being involuntarily detained in psychiatric institutions, according to monthly statistics released by the Mental Health Commission. The figures for May 2008 show that there were 151 instances in which a patient was involuntarily detained under the Mental... Read more

X-ray reviews due in August

Gary Culliton | 22 July 2008 | Public Health

The HSE anticipates that the ‘look back’ review of x-rays and CT scans under way in the north east will be complete by 18 July and that a final report will issue in the middle of August. The radiology review... Read more

Clinics to remain open despite Connolly closure

Ian McGuinness | 22 July 2008 |

The Health Service Executive has said that seven clinics will be held this week — despite the outpatients department at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown being closed for that timeframe. Yesterday the trade union IMPACT revealed that the HSE would be closing... Read more

Patients can teach doctors about care

22 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

A new study has shown that surveying hospital patients after they have been discharged can help improve both patient safety and the delivery of care. A new study has shown that an important – but often overlooked – method of... Read more

Hundreds contest nursing-home fees

Alan Deeley | 22 July 2008 | Public Health

Four hundred cases will go before the courts to contest matters under the Nursing Home Repayment Scheme, while thousands more people do not have the money to enter litigation, according to estimates given by Age Action Ireland on the extent... Read more

Planning permission granted for Beacon hospital in Limerick

Ian McGuinness | 22 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Beacon Medical Limited’s plans for a co-located hospital in Limerick can proceed, after two objections to the proposal were declared invalid by An Bord Pleanála. The company was granted planning permission by Limerick County Council last month for the building... Read more

Managers get due reward in new awards category

21 July 2008 | Health Management

Beauchamps Solicitors is sponsoring a new category in this year's Irish Healthcare Awards — that of Innovation in Healthcare Management. Doctors may get ‘thank you’ cards from their patients; nurses might get a bunch of flowers – or even a... Read more

Women buying abortion online

Sandra Ryan | 18 July 2008 | Public Health

Irish women are buying drugs online to enable abortions at home, according to new research. The study, published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, looked at 400 women from 70 countries, including Ireland, who had used one of... Read more

No funds for patient care

Gary Culliton | 18 July 2008 | Health Management

A new Patient Care Bill and a new Forum of Regulators to be set up on a statutory basis – which would operate in a similar way to Britain’s Council for Regulation of Health Excellence (CRHE) – are among the... Read more

Genetic testing for several diseases to be done overseas

Greg Baxter | 18 July 2008 | Public Health

Genetic testing for haemochromatosis, for fragile X, and for children over a year old with developmental delay will have to be carried out overseas, joining a host of testing and diagnostics services that are leaving Ireland. The National Centre for... Read more

Daily fruit juice linked to diabetes

Greg Baxter | 18 July 2008 | Public Health

Fruit juice has been linked to a slight increase in type 2 diabetes in women, according to new research in Diabetes Care. Three servings a day of fruit and leafy vegetables were not associated with the development of diabetes in... Read more

Heart Index criticised for lack of references

Sandra Ryan | 18 July 2008 | Public Health

Ireland’s provision of cardiovascular care ranks sixteenth out of 29 European countries, according to the latest figures from the Euro Consumer Heart Index, a comparison of how ‘consumer-friendly’ healthcare systems are throughout Europe. However, the study has been strongly criticised... Read more

Department of Health to review the HSE’s home care package

Greg Baxter | 18 July 2008 | Public Health

The Department of Health is set evaluate home care packages, as well as assess the HSE’s management of the Home Care Support Scheme. The Department has issued a tender offer for a quantitiave and qualitative evaluation of home care packages... Read more

Thinking about death makes you eat more

Greg Baxter | 18 July 2008 | Public Health

People who think about their own deaths want to eat more, new research has claimed. “Consumers, especially those with a lower self-esteem, might be more susceptible to over-consumption when faced with images of death during the news or their favourite... Read more

A life that spanned eras

17 July 2008 | Obituary

Dr Malachy Powell, KM, MD, FRCPI, DPH, BSc, LAH (1913-2007) is remembered for his contribution to medicine over an era that ran from pre-antibiotics to the MRI scanner. Dr Malachy Powell, who died in June 2007, was a well-known figure... Read more

Cork should get Dublin plan — Senator

Gary Culliton | 17 July 2008 | Public Health

A change in the National Cancer Strategy which will see hospitals in Dublin maintaining existing cancer services and working together in a bid to delivering the best possible patient care should be applied to hospitals in Cork, according to Fine... Read more

Children born onto waiting list for BCG shot

Alan Deeley | 17 July 2008 | Public Health

Children in Galway have been born into a waiting list for the crucial tuberculosis shot since a neonatal BCG vaccine was made policy last autumn, a HSE spokesperson has conceded. The Executive is now reviewing workloads to find space in... Read more

Carers call on Committee to oppose move

Mary Anne Kenny | 17 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

The Central Mental Hospital Carers’ Group (CMHCG) called on the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children to oppose the Government’s proposal to move the Central Mental Hospital. The plan would see the hospital relocated to a site adjacent to... Read more

Support needed for Huntington’s patients

Alan Deeley | 17 July 2008 | Public Health

The Department of Health avoids adding to the Long Term Illness list because one new entry could open a ‘Pandora’s Box’ for funding many more conditions, according to Huntington’s disease (HD) cam-paigners. The Department has supported the same 16 illnesses... Read more

PSI to sell its D4 properties

Gary Culliton | 17 July 2008 | Planning and Development, Regulation

The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is to dispose of two properties in Dublin and is seeking new office premises which are more ‘fit for purpose’. The PSI, the pharmacy regulator, owns its current property at 18 Shrewsbury Road, Ballsbridge,... Read more

Cancer care conference to be held in Göteborg

Greg Baxter | 17 July 2008 | Research and Education

The European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s (ESTRO’s) 27th annual congress, in September, will be the largest in the organisation’s history. More than 4,500 cancer and radiotherapy specialists will meet at the 27th congress in Göteborg, Sweden, from 14-18... Read more

Medical cards on the rise in June

Ian McGuinness | 17 July 2008 | General Practice

Nearly 7,000 more people had a medical card at the beginning of this month compared to the start of June, according to the latest figures from the Primary Care Reimbursement Service. The statistics show that when July and June’s figures... Read more

Risk equalisation should be set aside: Supreme Court

Gary Culliton | 16 July 2008 | Private Healthcare

The Government’s risk equalisation scheme for private health insurance is based on an incorrect interpretation of the law and should be set aside, the Supreme Court has ruled.
 Today’s Supreme Court decision has set aside the decision of Justice McKechnie... Read more

‘Cumulative increase’ in reliance on methadone to beat heroin addiction

Alan Deeley | 16 July 2008 | Public Health

The figure of almost 10,000 heroin addicts currently in treatment – as reported last week – represents ‘a cumulative increase’ in reliance on methadone, according to a key project co-ordinator. It is the norm for ‘an individual to get on... Read more

Booze adverts clash with 'get fit' message

Alan Deeley | 16 July 2008 | Public Health

Public health specialist Dr Joseph Barry has slammed the Government’s response to successive reports on alcohol advertising’s place in sport, where the message to teenagers to get fit collides with alcohol promotion. “For instance, rugby’s all about the alcohol: the... Read more

More staff needed for Ombudsman?

Mary Anne Kenny | 16 July 2008 | Regulation

The Office of the Ombudsman may need more staff if the expected rise in valid complaints relating to the Health Service Executive (HSE) comes to pass, according to the Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly. An extra 27 staff have already been recruited... Read more

Most reported errors in hospitals are minor – HIQA

Sandra Ryan | 16 July 2008 | Regulation

An evaluation of the internet-based system used to report errors and clinical incidents in public hospitals has found that most of the events reported are minor in nature. The evaluation of STARSweb by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA)... Read more

Laois hospital to get dementia unit

Mary Anne Kenny | 16 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Funding of €350,000 (€700,000 full year) has been made available to recruit the core staff required for a new dementia unit in St Vincent’s Hospital, Mountmellick, Co. Laois, it was announced last week. Minister for Disability and Mental Health, John... Read more

ICE system wins favour of IAEM

Greg Baxter | 16 July 2008 | Public Health

All people should keep the name and telephone number of their next of kin on their mobile phone under the heading ‘ICE’ (In Case of Emergency), the country’s emergency medicine doctors have urged. The Irish Association of Emergency Medicine has... Read more

Terminal diagnoses should involve families

Alan Deeley | 16 July 2008 | Public Health

Involving loved ones in delivering a diagnosis of terminal cancer can facilitate family support for the patient, depending on family dynamics, patient vulnerability and doctors’ judgment of the individual’s willingness to hear. The assessment comes as the Journal of Clinical... Read more

Disability services won't lose funding

By Greg Baxter | 15 July 2008 | Health Management

Disability services are set to receive the full €50 million set aside in the HSE’s budget, despite delays caused by a financial review, according to the Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, Disability & Mental Health, Mr John Moloney.... Read more

Building for better outcomes

13 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Taking patients' psychological and social needs into account when designing healthcare facilities can improve patient outcomes and even reduce costs. Until relatively recently, the design of healthcare facilities has tended to focus on functional efficiency and, of course, costs. According... Read more

Don't leave me this way

Barry O'Brien | 13 July 2008 | Features, Industrial Relations

Barry O'Brien on the importance of clarifying leave entitlements, especially maternity leave, as early as possible in a partnership. The issue of entitlement to leave is an emotive one for most people. Whether you are an employee, self employed, a... Read more

Equalisation of services is key to cancer care

Gary Culliton | 12 July 2008 | Public Health

Gary Culliton speaks to Dr Joseph Ragaz, former colleague of Prof Tom Keane at the highly-successful British Columbia Cancer Agency in Vancouver. When a good cancer treatment is developed, it usually only becomes available to small numbers of people through... Read more

Nurses' jobs are deferred at CUH

Mary Anne Kenny | 11 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Cork University Hospital (CUH) has deferred the appointment of 48 nurses, who have already been interviewed for positions in the hospital and gone through a week’s induction training – only to be told that there are no jobs for them.... Read more

New regulation proposed

Gary Culliton | 11 July 2008 | Regulation

A landmark new report agreed last Friday, which proposes a sweeping overhaul of the State’s medical regulatory framework, is due to be presented to Health Minister Harney this week. The Commission on Patient Safety, chaired by Dr Deirdre Madden, was... Read more

Australia eases path for Irish

Terence Cosgrave | 11 July 2008 | Regulation

A trickle of medical graduates to Australia could quickly turn to a flood now that the Australian Medical Council has decided that graduates of Irish medical schools may now become registered in Australia without having to sit an exam. The... Read more

HSE hires locums based on cost

Greg Baxter | 11 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

The HSE is now considering cost as a deciding factor in the hiring of emergency locums, and there is a fear that this will lead to a marked decrease in the quality of care that patients receive, the Irish Medical... Read more

Doctor claimed he was mentally unfit for defence

Ed Madden | 11 July 2008 | Medico-Legal

Ed Madden, BL, looks at a recent English High Court case in which a medical practitioner claimed that he was mentally unfit when he represented himself at a Fitness to Practise Panel hearing of the General Medical Council. At a... Read more

Surgical registrars refuse on-call shifts

Greg Baxter | 11 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Cost-saving measures at Louth County Hospital have prompted surgical registrars to refuse to cover on-call shifts, and the IMO has sent a letter to the HSE demanding that hospital management must not ‘bully, intimidate or impose disciplinary sanctions’ to force... Read more

Kerry nurses doing ‘treble time’, says TD

Alan Deeley | 11 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Reports that psychiatric nurses are ‘doing double and treble time’ at Kerry General Hospital have been denied by HSE South, although it agrees that one-to-one specialising ‘gives rise to overtime in this area’ as demand for mental health services grows.... Read more

Cancer society plans to double its funding

Sandra Ryan | 10 July 2008 | Public Health

Sandra Ryan writes that the Irish Cancer Society's focus is to increase its funding to deal with the expected rise in cancer rates in Ireland in the future. The National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) says it expects more than... Read more

How to write a winning entry

10 July 2008 | Features

Winning an Irish Healthcare Award not only recognises hard work and innovation, it can also have real practical benefits. For fledgling healthcare initiatives, the exposure that comes with winning an award can help secure funding to continue providing services that... Read more

Sligo goes to EU on cancer

Sandra Ryan | 10 July 2008 | Public Health

Doctors protesting about the Government’s cancer strategy in the north west are drafting a petition for the EU Parliament, aiming to prevent the removal of oncology services from the region. Under the Health Service Executive’s Cancer Control Programme, patients from... Read more

Medical Council elects Prof Murphy as President

Gary Culliton | 10 July 2008 | Regulation

The new Medical Council has elected Prof Kieran Murphy as its new President, as exclusively forecast four weeks ago in Irish Medical Times. The election for Vice President of the Medical Council is scheduled to be held next month. Dr... Read more

St James's stroke unit succeeds

Greg Baxter | 10 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Greg Baxter talks to Dr Jim Harbison about the success of the stroke unit in St James's Hospital. The introduction of a stroke unit at St James’s Hospital earlier this year has reduced the average length of stay for stroke... Read more

Leaked memo reveals cutbacks

Mary Anne Kenny | 10 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

A leaked memo from the Director of Nursing in Nenagh Hospital has confirmed that acute surgery and overnight work in Nenagh will be moved to the Mid-West Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle and that emergency department services in the hospital will... Read more

Council's scheme will take four years

Greg Baxter | 10 July 2008 | Regulation

The Medical Council’s new competence assurance scheme will not be in place for another three to four years, the Chairman of the Forum of Irish Postgraduate Medical Training Bodies told Irish Medical Times. Prof Joseph McKenna said before an appropriate... Read more

Ireland can lead the way against smoking

Terence Cosgrave | 10 July 2008 | Public Health

Irish public health doctors have an ‘enormous opportunity’ to do research on the health benefits to non-smokers of smoking bans that could save many lives in the undeveloped world. Prof Gregory Connolly — one of the world’s leading tobacco control... Read more

Medical tourism to beat EU waiting lists

Gary Culliton | 09 July 2008 | Public Health

People living within the European Union will be able to receive most healthcare treatments anywhere in the 27-nation bloc without getting prior authorisation, if a long-awaited proposal published on 2 July becomes law. Postponed for months because of fears in... Read more

Sexual health should not be stigmatised

Alan Deeley | 09 July 2008 | Public Health

Observing pamphlets on sexual health in a doctor’s surgery is an important prompt for patients to consult a doctor about serious sexual health matters, according to Mary O’Shea, Dublin AIDS Alliance executive director. She said that such materials ‘normalise sexual... Read more

UCD research helps find Alzheimer’s ‘toxic key’

Mary Anne Kenny | 09 July 2008 | Research and Education

Researchers at University College Dublin have helped to identify the ‘toxic key’ to Alzheimer’s disease memory-loss by unlocking the cascade of molecular events that lead to the onset of the disease. The findings, published in the latest edition of Nature... Read more

New President of the Medical Council

Greg Baxter | 09 July 2008 | Regulation

The new Medical Council has elected Prof Kieran Murphy, a consultant psychiatrist at Beaumont Hospital and Chairman of the Academic Department of Psychiatry, RCSI, as President, as exclusively revealed three weeks ago in Irish Medical Times. The Minister for Health,... Read more

Hospital sector to lose 1,800 jobs

Ian McGuinness | 07 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Ian McGuinness reports on the twists and turns regarding the recruitment ceilings within the HSE. Significant alterations are being made to the employment ceilings within the Health Service Executive and agencies funded by it, according to the latest circular on... Read more

Vhi boss confident of seeing off competitors

Sandra Ryan | 06 July 2008 | Interviews, Private Healthcare

Sandra Ryan speaks to Mr Jimmy Tolan, Chief Executive of Vhi Healthcare, about the changes taking place in the health insurance market. New Vhi Healthcare Chief Executive Jimmy Tolan, who throughout our interview is admirably pleasant and talkative, doesn’t change... Read more

Data protection essentials for GPs

Madeleine Delaney | 05 July 2008 | Medico-Legal

Madeleine Delaney, Associate with Beauchamps Solicitors, writes that GPs must be aware of all their legal obligations to patients when it comes to sensitive issues of data control and protection. General practitioners are data controllers by virtue of the fact... Read more

IMT's scoop on HSE regionalisation

Gary Culliton | 04 July 2008 | Health Management

The HSE Structure is to be regionalized, as Irish Medical Times revealed three months ago. Things have moved on it seems, since a statement which the HSE released in the wake of our story last march?... Read more

NCSS cannot give a figure for Quest cervical contract

Ian McGuinness | 04 July 2008 | Public Health

The National Cancer Screening Service has said it does not know how much the cervical screening contract, which was awarded to US firm Quest Diagnostics, will be worth to the company. When it announced the award on the e-tenders web... Read more

Smoking ban does help reduce smokers' habits

Alan Deeley | 04 July 2008 | Public Health

New research suggests that when workplace smoking bans are introduced, a smoker’s cigarette use decreases by two to four cigarettes a day. Although Prof Luke Clancy, of the Research Institute for a Tobacco Free Society, warns that this figure... Read more

Cancer centres reduced

Gary Culliton | 04 July 2008 | Public Health

Prof Tom Keane, the Interim Director of the National Cancer Control Programme, is planning a major change to the State’s national cancer strategy announced last September, which will see three centres of excellence based in Dublin, instead of the planned... Read more

Criticism of lack of funds for research

Sandra Ryan | 04 July 2008 | Research and Education

The Government has been criticised for refusing to fund a clinical trial taking place in the UK into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic condition that causes premature death by the age of 18-22. The Exon Skipping Trials had asked for... Read more

HSE boss heads west

Greg Baxter | 04 July 2008 | Health Management

Professor Brendan Drumm met with clinicians from hospitals in Roscommon, Galway and Ballinasloe last Thursday to discuss the implementation of the joint department of surgery proposal for Roscommon and Portiuncula Hospitals. The HSE called the meetings ‘constructive’. Prof Drumm assured... Read more

1800 jobs to go in hospitals by 2009

Ian McGuinness | 04 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Over 1,800 whole-time equivalent (WTE) posts are being cut from Ireland’s hospital sector by the end of 2009 including 45 from the ambulance service — according to internal HSE documents. The details are revealed in the latest HSE circular on... Read more

ECT 'going through a revival' — Corry

Alan Deeley | 04 July 2008 | Public Health

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Michael Corry, whose advocacy against forced electroconvulsive therapy led to a Green Party Bill before the Seanad last week, has told Irish Medical Times that the treatment is ‘going through a revival’. The Health Research Board documented... Read more

Record numbers expected for Irish Healthcare Awards

03 July 2008 | Health Management

The Minister for Health, Mary Harney has accepted an invitation to be the guest speaker at the Irish Healthcare Awards 2008 ceremony, which takes place on Thursday, 16 October, in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin. This is the third time that... Read more

Push to increase NTPF patient referrals

Gary Culliton | 03 July 2008 | Public Health

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) and the HSE have launched a major drive to increase the referrals from a number of hospitals who are not referring sufficient patients to the NTPF, ‘leaving patients waiting needlessly longer than 12 months... Read more

Sale of 'morning- after' pill defended

Sandra Ryan | 03 July 2008 | Public Health

A new UK web-site selling contraceptives, including the morning-after pill, has been defended by its owners, who say it is aimed at women in the UK and Ireland who are ‘busy working mothers’ and live a long way from a... Read more

Child conceived free of hereditary cancer gene

Greg Baxter | 03 July 2008 | Research and Education

A couple in Britain have used embryo screening to conceive a child that is guaranteed to be free from hereditary breast cancer gene BRCA-1. Following a decision in May 2007 by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority doctors to screen... Read more

Hermitage set to expand?

Gary Culliton | 03 July 2008 | Private Healthcare

The Hermitage Medical Clinic in Lucan, Co. Dublin is hoping to build a $5 million (€3.2 million) children’s health clinic, in conjunction with US firm, Sanford Health. “Having met with management at Hermitage Clinic, Sanford is very interested in developing... Read more

Safety checklist to improve surgical care

Gary Culliton | 03 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

The Surgical Safety Checklist, which was formally launched in Ireland by Health Minister Harney last month, ‘has the potential to ensure safer surgical care’, according to the Minister. “It should ensure that patients undergo the right operation at the correct... Read more

Research centre is named after Trinity alumnus

Gary Culliton | 03 July 2008 | Research and Education

A research laboratory at the Trinity Centre for Health Sciences at St James’s Hospital was named after a distinguished Trinity alumnus, Dr Seamus Ó Floinn, at a special ceremony on 20 June. The research laboratory will house the pulmonary group,... Read more

Vhi to open new clinics in Cork and Waterford

03 July 2008 | Private Healthcare

Vhi Healthcare will open two more of its SwiftCare Clinics this autumn, in Waterford and Cork.The two new facilities will create approximately 60 new jobs by the end of the year, and will follow the same model as the existing... Read more

Irish adults do not eat enough dairy

02 July 2008 | Public Health

Nearly one-third of Irish adults (29 per cent) do not consume the basic three servings of dairy a day, as recommended by the Department of Health & Children, according to TNS mrbi research commissioned by the National Dairy Council. The... Read more

Doctor investigated in two countries

Ed Madden BL | 02 July 2008 | Medico-Legal

Ed Madden, BL, writes on the case of a doctor registered in both British Columbia and the UK who had disciplinary proceedings instituted against him in Canada and was then investigated by the GMC in the UK about those charges.... Read more

Adult psychiatric units admit 99 children

Ian McGuinness | 02 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Nearly 100 children were admitted to adult psychiatric units in the first five months of this year, according to the latest figures from the Mental Health Commission. The figures show that between 1 January 2008 and 31 May 2008, 99... Read more

Mother's diet affects baby's future health

Gary Culliton | 02 July 2008 | Public Health

A mother’s diet during pregnancy can affect genetic expression and impact on a baby’s health, a meeting in Dublin was told. Over two hundred nutritionists attended the Nutrition Society meeting from 18 to 20 June in University College Dublin, to... Read more

Doctor loses case against Peamount

Ian McGuinness | 02 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

A doctor who used to work for Peamount Hospital has failed in his attempt to get money that he claimed was owed to him by that institution. The doctor — through the IMO — took a case to the Labour... Read more

St Brigid’s Home to get three new units

02 July 2008 | Public Health

The Health Service Executive has been granted planning permission for two palliative care units and a physiotherapy unit in Dublin. The services will be housed in two single-storey extensions at the back of St Brigid’s Home in Brittas, County Dublin.... Read more

New independent hospital to open

Gary Culliton | 01 July 2008 | Private Healthcare

Construction has begun on the north west’s first independent hospital. The 75-bed Wyndale Clinic, near Letterkenny General Hospital, will be open to both public and private patients. It will offer certain specialities that are not available in the region currently,... Read more

Irish surgeons must go for ‘super-specialisation’

Alan Deeley | 01 July 2008 | Public Health

The president of the Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons believes Irish surgeons must push ahead with super-specialisation, despite reports that some patients under the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) must go to the UK for certain reconstructive surgeries. These patients... Read more

Needs of people with MS highlighted

01 July 2008 | Public Health

The physical and societal needs of people with multiple sclerosis will be highlighted in a new exercise scheme for participants of all abilities, provided by MS Ireland. The National Activity, Exercise and Physiotherapy Research Programme – “Getting the Balance Right”... Read more

‘Rambling Together’ in Carlow

01 July 2008 | Public Health

Minister for Older People Maire Hoctor launched the ‘Rambling Together’ community project last week, which brought together two very different generations in Carlow to build mutual respect. The ‘Rambling Together’ booklet collects life stories told to transition year students at... Read more

No co-ordination at Mater hospital site

01 July 2008 | Hospital Medicine

Minister Mary Harney may be ‘blinding us with her enthusiasm’ for a new national children’s hospital, Deputy Joe Costello told Irish Medical Times, but the approach taken by the HSE on the chosen Mater campus lacks coordination. The complete redevelopment... Read more

E-health allows medics to soldier on

01 July 2008 | Information Technology

The US Army’s computerised Medical Communications for Combat Casualty Care system is now being used in its military medical facilities in 14 countries. A US military e-health programme being used in battle zones and military hospitals is having a profound... Read more

Enhance your presentation skills

Rory Hafford | 01 July 2008 | Features

Rory Hafford continues his ‘Medicine and Communication’ series with a close look at the difficult art of presentations and how best to prepare for them. Making a presentation to medical peers ranks as one of the most daunting and demanding... Read more