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News: May 2009

Education in sports and exercise medicine at NUIG

Dr Aideen Henry | 29 May 2009 | Features

Dr Aideen Henry writes about the growing medical specialty of sports and exercise medicine and outlines the undergraduate and postgraduate study programmes in NUI Galway... Read more

Tallaght celebrates nursing heritage

Greg Baxter | 29 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

Tallaght Hospital has kicked off a week of special events to celebrate 400 years of collective nursing service. Ann Donovan, Director of Nursing, said, “We are delighted to be in the unique position of celebrating 400 years of nursing care.... Read more

Decision on co-location in Cork due this week

Dara Gantly | 29 May 2009 | Private Healthcare

A decision by An Bord Pleanála over the proposed 185-bed co-located private hospital at the Cork University Hospital is expected this week, Irish Medical Times has learned. This follows its decision earlier this week to grant permission to Beacon Medical... Read more

Public health docs vote on new deal

Dara Gantly | 29 May 2009 | Public Health

Public health doctors (PHDs) had until Wednesday last, May 27 to return their ballots to the IMO on a proposed new out-of-hours service. The ballots were sent out last week without a recommendation from the IMO PHD Committee. “It was... Read more

Addresses removed from the web

Niamh Mullen | 29 May 2009 | Regulation

DOCTORS’ addresses have been removed from the Medical Council’s website after concern was expressed that they could have become targets for break-ins and harassment. There were also fears that registration numbers, names and addresses, could have been used to write... Read more

'Urgent' needs of the dying

Gary Culliton | 29 May 2009 | Health Management

‘Palliative Care Services: A Five-Year Development Framework 2009-2013’, which has still to be published by Health Minister Harney, says 272 extra full-time staff and 203 new specialist inpatient beds are ‘urgently’ needed to care for dying patients. The plan will... Read more

Steering group to decide on cards

Niamh Mullen | 29 May 2009 | Health Management

The Department of Health is reviewing the eligibility criteria for medical cards in the context of ‘financial, medical and social’ needs. Health Minister Mary Harney said a Steering Group had been formed, which would report in the coming months. “I... Read more

Health services 'account for 40 per cent of tax take

Gary Culliton | 28 May 2009 | Health Management

Spending on the health services now accounts for 40 per cent of the tax revenue which the Government collects. The HSE today published its 2008 Annual Report and Annual Financial Statements. Spending on Demand Led Schemes (e.g. primary care and... Read more

First phase of pay deal a top priority

Gary Culliton | 28 May 2009 | Industrial Relations

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) had discussions with Health Minister Harney last Wednesday, regarding payment of a first-phase increase under the consultant contract. The contract increases are due to be paid in instalments and the IHCA’s first priority is... Read more

Call for entries for Irish Healthcare Awards 2009

28 May 2009 | Research and Education

FOLLOWING the success of last year’s Irish Healthcare Awards, Irish Medical Times is pleased to announce this year’s ceremony will take place on October 15. Once again, the prestigious event will take place at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, and... Read more

NCHD talks fail to reach agreement

Dara Gantly | 28 May 2009 | Industrial Relations

Talks between the HSE and the IMO on meeting the 48-hour week for NCHDs failed to reach agreement at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) last Friday and the matter was referred to the Labour Court for further negotiations. Issues surrounding... Read more

Prof Hugh McKenna honoured by academy

28 May 2009 | Research and Education

An Ulster nursing expert has been honoured by a prestigious American academy. Prof Hugh McKenna of the University of Ulster has been appointed an International Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Such a fellowship has been given to just... Read more

Oireachtas Committee asks to meet Drumm

28 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children has written to the CEO of the Health Service Executive (HSE), Prof Brendan Drumm and requested that he attend a meeting of the committee as soon as possible in order to discuss... Read more

Delayed discharges average 757 per week

Dara Gantly | 28 May 2009 | Health Management

The number of delayed discharges from hospitals continues to climb, averaging 757 per week in the first three months of the year, latest HSE figures reveal. This is compared to averages of 668 and 514 over the past two years,... Read more

EU governments set to reduce prices of medicinal products

Dara Gantly | 28 May 2009 | Regulation

EU governments can legally reduce medicinal product prices more than once a year and on the basis of predicted expenditure, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled. In a recent judgment, the Court reiterated that member states may organise... Read more

Council asked to clarify its rules on struck-off doctors

Niamh Mullen | 28 May 2009 | Regulation

PATIENT Focus has called on the Medical Council to explain how its rules ensure doctors who were struck off in another country could not be registered in Ireland. The patient advocacy group referred to a recent case in the courts... Read more

Leas Cross report for June

Dara Gantly | 28 May 2009 | Health Management

The final report from the Commission of Investigation established to investigate the management, operation and supervision of the former Leas Cross Nursing Home will not be completed until mid-June. The long-awaited report was originally due to be submitted to the... Read more

Increase in referrals to services for children

Gary Culliton | 27 May 2009 | Public Health

The HSE has published its Review of Adequacy of Services for Children and Families 2007. The report shows a 10.5% increase in reports to the service in 2007 and a 24% increase over the last three years. The increase in... Read more

Possible spot checks for GP surgeries

Gary Culliton | 27 May 2009 | Regulation

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published new standards to combat the spread of Healthcare Associated Infections. The standards may be enforced when legislation enabling a licensing system for hospitals is passed. Spot checks for GP surgeries are... Read more

Harassment and break-ins prompt fears

Niamh Mullen | 27 May 2009 | Regulation

Niamh Mullen examines doctors’ concerns that the Medical Council was infringing their privacy by publishing their home addresses online. Fears of break-ins, harassment from drug addicts, forgery of prescriptions and being a target for unsolicited post were among the concerns... Read more

Dr Clare Thornley wins prize

27 May 2009 | Research and Education

The winner of the 2009 Aindreas McEntee prize for creative writing is Dr Clare Thornley. Dr Thornley, who has an acupuncture and homeopathy practice at Forth Mountain, Wexford won the prize for her story ‘Blue Monday – 2010’, which tells... Read more

Director of NEGs appointed

Niamh Mullen | 27 May 2009 | General Practice

Galway-based GP Dr Sinead Murphy has been appointed Director of the ICGP Network of Establishing GPs (NEGs) Programme. The programme is designed to support GPs in the first few years of their career and to provide more opportunities for young... Read more

Third case of swine flu confirmed

Gary Culliton | 27 May 2009 | Public Health

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health & Children of Health and Children has confirmed a third case of Influenza Type A (H1N1) in Ireland. The patient is a woman from the east of the country... Read more

Arsenic warning to hospitals on rice milk

Gary Culliton | 26 May 2009 | Public Health

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has advised that as a precautionary measure, infants and young children up to 4.5 years old should not consume rice milk as substitutes for cows’ milk, breast milk or infant formula. This advice... Read more

VHI 'paid out €30m more than it received in premium income'

Gary Culliton | 26 May 2009 | Private Healthcare

VHI healthcare has said it paid out €30m more than it received in premium income for the ten month period ending December 2008. The insurer has reported a deficit of €65m, which compares with surplus of close to €63m for... Read more

Families delay health checks in recession

Terence Cosgrave | 26 May 2009 | Public Health

Many families are putting off vital health checks as the recession puts pressure on family budgets. According to Stephen Duff of the HSF Health Plan, the recession has eaten so deeply into the household income that people are putting off... Read more

Bahrain stone laid

Niamh Mullen | 26 May 2009 | Research and Education

A milestone in the 30-year relationship between the RCSI and the Government of Bahrain was reached last week when the foundation stone was laid on a new medical education and healthcare campus. Minister for Labour Affairs at the Department of... Read more

Cost of Grangegorman site development has hit €1.4bn

Dara Gantly | 26 May 2009 | Planning and Development

The overall cost of delivering all of the elements of Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) and HSE services on the Grangegorman site has been estimated at €1.4 billion, the Minister for Education has revealed. The first tranche is to cost... Read more

Cherry Orchard gets planning permission

26 May 2009 | Planning and Development

The HSE has been granted planning permission by Dublin City Council to construct a new detached three-storey building on the Cherry Orchard Hospital campus. The building — whose use will be mainly clinical, to relieve existing satellite hospital services —... Read more

Under-fives’ deaths decrease by 27 per cent

26 May 2009 | Public Health

DEATHS of children under five have decreased by 27 per cent since 1990 but other results are mixed, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) first progress report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). In 2007, nine million children under... Read more

Second swine flu case confirmed

Gary Culliton | 26 May 2009 | Public Health

Dr Tony Holohan, Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health & Children yesterday said that laboratory test results have today confirmed a second case of Influenza Type A (H1N1) in Ireland. The patient, an adult female residing in the... Read more

Sligo strike deferred

Gary Culliton | 26 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

The outcome of conciliation talks yesterday between the HSE and INO / SIPTU on the Sligo General Hospital dispute is that the unions have recommended a deferral of the strike action pending a referral to the Labour Court and the... Read more

Public lied to about vaccine

Niamh Mullen | 22 May 2009 | Public Health

Outspoken oncologist Prof John Crown has accused the Government of systematically attempting to ‘disinform’ the public about the cervical cancer vaccine. Criticising Government policy, he said co-location would be ‘Paris Hilton healthcare’ and it was ‘tosh propagated by officialdom’ to... Read more

Less than 50% of public agree with Council guidelines

Niamh Mullen | 22 May 2009 | Regulation

Fewer than half of the general public agrees the Medical Council’s ethical guidelines outlawing induced abortion, euthanasia and experiments on embryos should exist. A Millward Brown IMS poll carried out on behalf of the Pro-Life Campaign found 40 per cent... Read more

Consultants excluded from review

Dara Gantly | 22 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

Hospital consultants have been excluded from a new Government-initiated comparative review of top-level pay rates across Europe, Irish Medical Times can reveal. The international comparison of remuneration levels will be undertaken for the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the... Read more

Nurses' work stoppage in Killarney

22 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

The dispute by INO members at Killarney Community Hospital continues today with a withdrawal of labour from 3-4pm. Members of the Organisation are campaigning against the imposition of changes in the management structures within the Hospital which will inevitably lead... Read more

LRC talks dominated by rostering issues

Dara Gantly | 22 May 2009 | Industrial Relations

Issues surrounding rostering and the working week dominated the first round of negotiations last week at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) on achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) for NCHDs. Employers and the IMO have been given... Read more

HSE medical card office swamped with applications

Dara Gantly | 22 May 2009 | Health Management

The HSE’s new central office tasked with processing medical cards has dealt with in excess of 80,000 telephone inquiries in the first quarter of 2009, and has processed in excess of 7,000 new medical card applications. Minister for Health Mary... Read more

Meeting on out-of-hours PHDs settles dispute

Dara Gantly | 22 May 2009 | Public Health

Directors and specialists in public health medicine were due to meet this Wednesday (May 20) for a national meeting on the planned new out-of-hours public health doctor (PHD) service. The agreement from the Labour Court — which will see PHDs... Read more

NTPF 'validation' consistent for '08

By Gary Culliton | 22 May 2009 | Health Management

Under half of outpatients contacted by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) attended consultants last year. In arranging 12,342 outpatient consultations, 23,056 public patients were contacted by the NTPF. Of these, 5,579, or 24 per cent of patients were removed... Read more

Report reveals gaps in LGBT services

Niamh Mullen | 22 May 2009 | Public Health

Significant gaps in health services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people exist in many rural areas with little or no HSE funding or support. The first ever report to examine existing health services for LGBT people found good... Read more

New system to upgrade diagnostic imaging

Gary Culliton | 22 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

A HSE working group has given the go-ahead for the first stage of a €100 million national system, designed to cut out lost x-rays that have been at the centre of recent cancer scandals. A Project Board has approved the... Read more

Experts recommend National Cancer Biobank

By Gary Culliton | 22 May 2009 | Research and Education

Health Minister Mary Harney has published the Report of the Expert Group on Biobanking, which contains recommendations for the establishment of a National Cancer Biobank in Ireland. A biobank is a collection of patient samples and related information, and is... Read more

Mayo General to meet IMO over NCHDs

Dara Gantly | 22 May 2009 | Industrial Relations

A conciliation conference between Mayo General Hospital and the Irish Medical Organisation is scheduled to take place next week, IMT has learned. The meeting — to be held under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission — hopes to resolve... Read more

GPs will have to review services after cuts

Niamh Mullen | 22 May 2009 | General Practice

Every GP practice in the country will have to review the services it provides, following cuts to professional fees to general practitioners. That is according to Irish Medical Organisation GP leader Dr Ronan Boland, who was speaking ahead of the... Read more

15-GP primary care centre set to open in Letterkenny in June

Greg Baxter | 21 May 2009 | General Practice

An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, was on hand for the launch of a new, 15-GP primary care centre site in Letterkenny. The 19,000 square foot centre, which is set to open in June, is the first of 200 new primary care... Read more

Mental health strategy will take 40 years

Greg Baxter | 21 May 2009 | Health Management

A Vision for Change — the country’s national mental health strategy – will take 40 years to implement at the rate it is going, according to a spokesperson for the College of Psychiatry of Ireland. Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Siobhan Barry,... Read more

ED staff 'could be forced to live in hospitals'

Dara Gantly | 21 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

Emergency department (ED) staff could be forced to live for months in hospitals and even make alternative arrangements for the care of children if an influenza pandemic breaks out, new research has warned. During the SARS epidemic, staff in Hong... Read more

More non-Irish mums giving birth in Coombe

Dara Gantly | 20 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

Twenty-seven per cent of mothers who gave birth at the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital last year were born outside of the Republic of Ireland, new figures reveal. In total, 2,233 mothers at the Coombe were born outside of... Read more

National Counselling Service contacted by 17,000

Gary Culliton | 20 May 2009 | Public Health

A total of 17,774 adults have contacted the HSE National Counselling Service since the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was established. Of these, 2,596 (15%) have a history of institutional abuse and institutional clients receive priority service with the... Read more

Temple Street negotiating to have quota raised

Gary Culliton | 20 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

Following the release of the National Treatment Purchase Fund Report, Temple Street Children's Hospital has issued at statement, saying it prioritises the patients on its waiting lists "in accordance to clinical need i.e those with the greatest clinical need in... Read more

‘Say No to Ageism’ campaign launched

20 May 2009 | Public Health

The ‘Say No to Ageism’ campaign (2009) was launched last week. The campaign will focus on encouraging individuals to question their own attitude and then say no to ageism, to tackle the problem especially in employment and the provision of... Read more

Mid-west to benefit from new treatment

Dara Gantly | 20 May 2009 | Public Health

The installation of a second linear accelerator at the Mid-Western Radiation Oncology Centre will have a ‘significant effect’ on patient care, a leading consultant has stated. Operated by Mater Private Healthcare, the Limerick centre provides radiotherapy treatment to patients suffering... Read more

Beaumont Hospital to provide CF unit

Dara Gantly | 20 May 2009 | Public Health

Beaumont Hospital plans to reconfigure and refurbish part of its existing building to provide a new cystic fibrosis (CF) outpatient unit, IMT has learned. With a total capital approval of €3.6 million, the unit is expected to cost in the... Read more

Planning granted for 90-bed nursing home

20 May 2009 | Planning and Development

Planning permission has been granted to develop a 90-bed nursing home/ 110-bed mental health facility on the Swords Road in Whitehall, Dublin. Approved by Dublin City Council last week, the 13,051sqm building works includes a change of use to the... Read more

Nearly 37,000 people with epilepsy in Ireland

Gary Culliton | 19 May 2009 |

There are up to 37,000 people with epilepsy in Ireland and this number may be increasing, new data released today by Brainwave The Irish Epilepsy Association reveal. The Prevalence of Epilepsy in Ireland study, commissioned by Brainwave and conducted by... Read more

20 cigarettes a day costs €3,000 a year

Gary Culliton | 19 May 2009 | Public Health

New HSE research shows that the incidence of smoking increases greatly where both mother and father smoked and that 48% of the population are either past or current smokers but this rises to 62% where both parents smoked. Of the... Read more

Ten per cent could be suffering from IBS

Niamh Mullen | 19 May 2009 | Public Health

More than 10 per cent of Irish people could be suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), according to an Irish professor who is president of the World Gastroenterology Organisation. Professor of Medicine at University College Cork (UCC), Prof Eamonn Quigley,... Read more

Cutting health spend will hurt after recession

Niamh Mullen | 19 May 2009 | Health Management

If the recession is used as an excuse to cut spending on healthcare and pharmaceuticals, the consequences will be felt long after the economy recovers. That is the message from the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), of... Read more

Call for diabetes screening in pharmacies

19 May 2009 | Public Health

Pharmacists have called for the introduction of a screening programme for diabetes through pharmacies across the country to counter the growing incidence of the disease in Ireland. As many as 200,000 people in Ireland now suffer from type 2 diabetes,... Read more

Appointment shows high research standard

19 May 2009 | Research and Education

THE appointment of the director general of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) to a prestigious European research association shows Ireland is ‘punching above its weight in the international scientific and research community’, according to the chairman of the organisation. The comments... Read more

Professional cert for PMI

Dara Gantly | 19 May 2009 | Research and Education

A new professional certificate in pharmaceutical business management was unveiled at the recent Pharmaceutical Managers’ Institute (PMI) AGM, which took place in Cork. The accredited programme, which will be run in association with UCD’s Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School over... Read more

New test could speed prostate cancer diagnosis

Gary Culliton | 19 May 2009 | Public Health

A new 3-minute test could help in diagnosing prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men in the UK, according to scientists. Researchers have developed the test by using light energy to measure the level of citrate in fluid samples... Read more

Under half of outpatients NTPF contacted attended consultants

Gary Culliton | 18 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

In arranging 12,342 out-patient consultations, 23,056 public patients were contacted, by the The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). Of these 5,579, or 24% of patients were removed from public out-patient waiting lists when on contact they responded that they no... Read more

HIQA launches new standards

Gary Culliton | 18 May 2009 | Regulation

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published National Quality Standards: Residential Services for People with Disabilities in Ireland. The National Quality Standards outline what is expected of a provider of services and what a person with a disability,... Read more

Non-EU docs must prove higher English standards

Greg Baxter | 18 May 2009 | Regulation

From June 4, the Medical Council will require a higher standard of English for non-EU doctors. Applicants for trainee specialist registration, general registration or specialist registration who are not EU, EEA or Swiss citizens and do not have EU rights,... Read more

Services for sex workers are vital

Dara Gantly | 18 May 2009 | Public Health

It is absolutely essential that support services for drug-using sex workers continue to be adequately funded in spite of the current economic downturn, a new report has stressed. According to the first qualitative research undertaken on sex workers in Ireland,... Read more

Leas Cross report to go to Department today

Dara Gantly | 15 May 2009 | Public Health

The final report from the Commission of Investigation examining the management, operation and supervision of the former Leas Cross Nursing Home is due to be submitted to the Department of Health this Friday (May 15). “Before the report can be... Read more

South African doctor is person of the year

Dara Gantly | 15 May 2009 | General Practice

A South African doctor has been named ‘Beara Person of the Year’ after his involvement in an obstetric emergency involving the birth of twin boys. Dr Ernest (EJ) Cranna was nominated by David and Michelle Dudley for services ‘above and... Read more

Directors will be in place by July HSE pledges

Gary Culliton | 15 May 2009 | Health Management

The three HSE National Directors will be in place in July, the Executive has pledged. These posts are the national director of quality and clinical care, national director of operations, and national director of planning and performance. The Integrated Services... Read more

Reason for obesity is simply overeating

Greg Baxter | 15 May 2009 | Public Health

The rise of obesity in the US can be explained by overeating and not lack of physical activity, according to new research presented last week at the 17th European Congress on Obesity in Amsterdam. Professor Boyd Swinburn, director of the... Read more

Vaccine price 'grossly inflated'

Dara Gantly | 15 May 2009 | Public Health

The IMO GP Chairman believes figures ‘bandied about’ for the cost of implementing a national vaccination programme for cervical cancer are ‘grossly inflated’, and he has accused the pharmaceutical companies of playing ‘hard ball’ on the price. Dr Ronan Boland... Read more

Criminals may exploit swine flu

Dara Gantly | 15 May 2009 | Public Health

Interpol, the world’s largest international police organisation, has issued a warning over criminals potentially exploiting the swine flu outbreak through spam emails and websites selling illegal, unlicensed or fake medicines. Executive Director of Police Services, Jean-Michel Louboutin, said that following... Read more

Talks deadline nears on EWTD for NCHDs

Dara Gantly | 15 May 2009 | Industrial Relations

Employers and the IMO are due to meet again on Monday May 18 in the first round of negotiations at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) on achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) for NCHDs. Both parties were... Read more

Blood from HH patients should be used by IBTS

Gary Culliton | 15 May 2009 | Public Health

An Impact Document on haemochromatosis (HH) was launched at the recent AGM of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) in Galway, in a bid to raise awareness of the condition. The document is a collaborative effort between the ICGP... Read more

Crackdown on bed blockers

Gary Culliton | 15 May 2009 | Health Management

The HSE has launched a major crackdown with the aim of ‘forcing’ hospitals to admit patients on the day of surgery. The object of the Executive’s new tactic is to ‘change clinician practices with a view to admitting in-patients to... Read more

Beware of ‘sell-out’ says Daly

Terence Cosgrave | 15 May 2009 | General Practice

General Practitioners were warned they should ‘vigilant’ of other GPs and members of the medical profession who might try to de-professionalise primary care, a GP and former President of the IMO has said. Dr Martin Daly — who was speaking... Read more

Offer made to public health doctors

Dara Gantly | 15 May 2009 | Industrial Relations

Public health doctors (PHDs) have been offered E575 per week on call under an agreement to establish a new out-of-hours public health doctor service from June 1, Irish Medical Times has learned. Remuneration for the interim service — which is... Read more

Cancer biobanking report published

Gary Culliton | 15 May 2009 | Public Health

The Minister for Health Ms Harney has published the Report of the Expert Group on Biobanking, which contains recommendations for the establishment of a National Cancer Biobank in Ireland. A biobank is a collection of patient samples and related information,... Read more

New Mental Health Directorate for HSE

15 May 2009 | Health Management

The Minister of State at the Department of Health Hohn Moloney has welcomed the publication of the 2008 Mental Health Commission Annual Report which includes the Report of the Inspector of Mental Health Services. The Inspector called for a directorate... Read more

HSE might arguably 'spend more on reports'

Gary Culliton | 15 May 2009 | Health Management

The HSE spent €15 million on consultants reports last year, including €1 million on the recent McKinsey report, HSE CEO Prof Brendan Drumm told the Public Accounts Committee last week. “The constant criticism is ‘that is €15m that could have... Read more

Three children's hospitals: clinical staff structures to merge

Gary Culliton | 14 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

Health Minister Mary Harney this morning said agreement has been reached that there will be a single Clinical Director for the three Dublin children’s hospitals, at Temple Street, Crumlin and Tallaght, under the new consultant contract. "I hope that can... Read more

Mental health: 20 new community facilities

Gary Culliton | 14 May 2009 | Public Health

A total of 20 community and mental health facilities will be provided in 2009. the HSE said this morning, following publication of the latest report of the Inspector of Mental Health Services. The HSE is committed to providing 200 Community... Read more

Delegates nonplussed with HSE plans at AGM

Terence Cosgrave | 14 May 2009 | General Practice

A presentation on future plans for primary care development was greeted with scepticism and world-weariness by GPs at the Irish College of General Practitioners AGM last weekend in the Radisson Hotel in Galway. The presentation — delivered by Brian Murphy,... Read more

Doctors must make own plans

Terence Cosgrave | 14 May 2009 | Public Health

Doctors and health professionals need to start making plans now to deal with a potential swine flu epidemic and not look to the HSE, Government or anyone else to come up with solutions. Dr David Hanlon — a GP who... Read more

Cost-efficiencies of PPPs questioned

Terence Cosgrave | 14 May 2009 | Private Healthcare

The cost-efficiencies of public-private partnerships (PPPs) has been called into question by a Scottish academic who has said there is no evidence to back up cost-efficiency claims. David Price — a Senior Research Fellow in International Public Health Policy at... Read more

Medical Council to move soon

Dara Gantly | 13 May 2009 | Regulation

The fit out of the Medical Council’s new Dublin headquarters at Kingram House has commenced and a move date is due shortly, IMT has learned. The new city centre headquarters comprises 1,600sqm of office space located off Fitzwilliam Place.... Read more

Planning sought for new medical centre in D4

Dara Gantly | 13 May 2009 | General Practice

An application for planning permission has been lodged with Dublin City Council for a new 785sqm medical centre and pharmacy in Dublin 4. The development at 240 Merrion Road — the applicants for which include Dr Enda Ryan and Dr... Read more

WHO clarifies safety of pork products

Gary Culliton | 13 May 2009 | Public Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a statement on the safety of pork, in the context of the influenza outbreak. “In the ongoing spread of influenza A(H1N1), concerns about the possibility of this virus being found in pigs and... Read more

Epilepsy-prevalence research to be launched

13 May 2009 | Public Health

New research pinpointing for the first time the prevalence of epilepsy in Ireland will be launched next Tuesday in Dublin. The Prevalence of Epilepsy in Ireland Study was commissioned by Brainwave — the Irish Epilepsy Association — and conducted by... Read more

Crumlin children's hospital 'to close wards'

Gary Culliton | 13 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

Our Lady's Hospital for Children, Crumlin is to close wards to meet its budget. St Joseph's Ward is to close in ten days time and another ward may possibly also close during the summer. Whether or not the wards will... Read more

Monageer: agencies 'must redouble efforts'

Gary CUlliton | 12 May 2009 | Public Health

Following publication by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, of the redacted report on the Monageer Inquiry into the circumstances leading to and surrounding the deaths of the Dunne family in Monageer, Co. Wexford in April 2007, the HSE... Read more

New HSE documents on gay health issues

12 May 2009 | Public Health

The HSE today launched two documents relating to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community in Ireland. The publication of the report LGBT HEALTH: Towards meeting the Health care Needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People and the guidelines... Read more

HSE is owed over €90m by private insurers

Gary Culliton | 12 May 2009 | Health Management

The HSE is owed over €90m from from private insurers for the cost of private care in public hospital beds. As the figures below indicate, unpaid charges are a "significant challenge," the HSE said. Of valid charges raised in 2008,... Read more

Charter Medical opens three new clinics in Smithfield

Gary Culliton | 12 May 2009 | Private Healthcare

Three new clinics are opening at Charter Medical’s facility in Dublin’s Smithfield, including an emergency eye clinic, which is due to begin its business on June 1. The clinic, which will also deal with routine eye appointments, will aim to... Read more

TILDA study gets a home for its research in Trinity College

Gary Culliton | 12 May 2009 | Research and Education

The President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, has launched The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) Health Assessment Centre at Trinity College Dublin and the public phase of the TILDA study that involves interviewing 8,000 older people over the next 10... Read more

IMO agrees to hold 48-hour week ballot

Dara Gantly | 11 May 2009 | Industrial Relations

The IMO has agreed to hold a ballot of its members on or before June 25 on forthcoming measures from the HSE aimed at meeting the 48-hour week for NCHDs. Negotiations for achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive... Read more

Irish neurologist presented with major US award for MND work

Dara Gantly | 11 May 2009 | Research and Education

A consultant neurologist at Beaumont Hospital and TCD has been presented with a major US award for her work on Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Prof Orla Hardiman received the prestigious Sheila Essey Award from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN)... Read more

Dispensing is biggest pharmacist complaint

Gary Culliton | 11 May 2009 | Regulation

Over a quarter of complaints (27 per cent) against pharmacists last year related to dispensing errors. “2008 was the first full year of the PSI as pharmacy regulator and while it was a challenging year in many respects, it was... Read more

Review of services to be done in 10 weeks

Dara Gantly | 11 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

The HSE expects a major review of emergency services in the South to be completed in just 10 weeks, Irish Medical Times has learned. The review of Emergency Departments (EDs) and pre-hospital emergency care in Cork and Kerry commenced last... Read more

ICGP to thank Boland for work

Dara Gantly | 11 May 2009 | General Practice

The Irish College of General Practitioners plans to formally acknowledge the ‘immense’ contribution of Dr Michael Boland to the College over the past 25 years at a special event in Dublin next November. The College will be formally acknowledging its... Read more

Saudi Arabian nurses to fill void in health service

Dara Gantly | 11 May 2009 | Health Management

The Irish health authorities are exploring the possibility of taking in nursing students from Saudi Arabia to fill spare capacity in various nursing programmes. The HSE has been approached by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and various academic institutions on... Read more

International animal testing pact signed

11 May 2009 | Research and Education

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, together with its counterparts in the US, Canada and Japan, have signed a new agreement aimed at reducing the number of animal experiments undertaken in labs worldwide. The co-operation document signed on Monday (April... Read more

Skin cancer on the rise in Ireland

Niamh Mullen | 11 May 2009 | Public Health

Cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year increased by 36 per cent in the ten years between 1997 and 2007, new figures from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland show. There were 5,687 new cases of skin cancer in 1997.... Read more

HSE battles with Vhi over private patients

Gary Culliton | 10 May 2009 | Private Healthcare

Patients who have private health insurance and who attend public hospitals have been identified as a risk to the HSE: they represent a potential saving of €50 million for private health insurers. This is because consultants who have opted for... Read more

Sky's the limit for ICGP Lincoln Place expansion

By Dara Gantly | 08 May 2009 | General Practice

The ICGP is exploring the possibility of expanding its current headquarters at Lincoln Place upwards by one floor in order to solve its current accommodation requirements. The provision of sufficient space to accommodate all the activities of the College centrally... Read more

New Zealand may offer compensation alternative

Gary Culliton | 08 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

The New Zealand system may offer a viable alternative to Ireland’s system of compen-sation for Healthcare Acquired Infections, according to Dr Theresa Graham’s group Stop Infections Now (SIN). Research has revealed that many people who have acquired an infection while... Read more

'Callous closure' shows disrespect

By Mary Anne Kenny | 08 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

A health advocacy group has attacked the ‘callous closure’ of Monaghan Hospital and said that patients may now be denied admission to Cavan Hospital. “The untimely death of a heart-attack victim from Clare following the night-time closure of Ennis ED... Read more

Part payment is 'fair and reasonable' says Minister

By Dara Gantly and Gary Culliton | 08 May 2009 | Industrial Relations

The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney, has described as ‘fair and reasonable’ the part-payment of the new consultant contract salary rates in order to plug a E147 million hole in the Health Service Executive’s budget. In total, E143... Read more

Reduction in fees could result in loss of services

Dara Gantly | 08 May 2009 | General Practice

Any reduction in the fees paid to GPs who attend Defence Forces personnel could result in the withdrawal of the provision of services, the IMO has warned. The union has informed the Department of Defence that it would be ‘inappropriate’... Read more

Research needed into 'legal high' drug

Niamh Mullen | 08 May 2009 | Research and Education

MORE research is needed into the effects of the stimulant drug 4-MCC, a so-called ‘legal high’ linked to hallucinations, psychosis and even death, following indications it is being used in Ireland. Dr Gerry McCarney, a psychiatrist with the Drug Treatment... Read more

Drug cuts will save money

Gary Culliton | 08 May 2009 | Health Management

A government report for Health Minister Mary Harney due next month will outline price cuts in generic medicines to a level 20 to 30 per cent below proprietary drug prices and the cuts are likely to take effect from next... Read more

INO strike looming

Gary Culliton | 08 May 2009 | Industrial Relations

Delegates at the Irish Nurses Organisation’s annual conference in Killarney have called for an all-out strike in protest against health service cutbacks. 97% of INO members in Sligo General Hospital have voted in favour of industrial action in protest at... Read more

Drumm: consultants contract €50m 'risk' to HSE

Gary Culliton | 08 May 2009 | Health Management

Patients who have private health insurance and who attend public hospitals, have been identified as a risk to the HSE: they represent a potential saving of €50m for private health insurers. This is because consultants who have opted for "public... Read more

Drumm: HSE spent €15m on consultants reports

Gary Culliton | 07 May 2009 | Health Management

The HSE spent €15m on consultants reports last year, including €1m on the recent McKinsey's report, Chief Executive Prof Brendan Drumm told the Public Accounts Committee today. "The constant criticism is 'that is €15m that could have gone to nursing... Read more

Mercy hospital strike ballot 'deferred'

Gary Culliton | 06 May 2009 | Industrial Relations

IMPACT has deferred balloting in a dispute at Mercy University Hospital in Cork over a decision by management to cut premium payments to staff. This is on the basis of a meeting with the hospital’s CEO Pat Madden this morning.... Read more

Curb on new services mooted

Niamh Mullen | 06 May 2009 | General Practice

The increasing demand for new services and information from the ICGP will have to be tempered because of the current economic climate and the New Medical Act, according to the College’s Honorary Treasurer. Dr Abdul Bulbulia made the comments in... Read more

IMO and HSE still at odds on public doctors’ pay

Dara Gantly | 06 May 2009 | Industrial Relations

The IMO and the HSE were due to meet in the Labour Court last Tuesday to settle the long running dispute over the withholding of a 2.5 per cent pay increases due to public health doctors. The continued non-payment of... Read more

'Get on your bikes' says Kilkenny ICGP

Niamh Mullen | 06 May 2009 | General Practice

Improvements should be made to cycle-tracks to make them safer and encourage more people to ‘get on their bikes’. The Kilkenny Faculty of the Irish College of General Practitioners will propose a motion on the issue at this weekend’s ICGP... Read more

GP training proposal turned down by HSE

Niamh Mullen | 06 May 2009 | General Practice

THE HSE refused to approve a proposal from the ICGP for Phase 2 Training, which would have reduced GP training by two years for doctors who already completed recognised hospital training. Writing in the ICGP Annual Report 2009, Chairman Mark... Read more

RCSI looks to recruit new chief executive

Niamh Mullen | 05 May 2009 | Research and Education

THE RCSI is recruiting for a new chief executive officer. The candidate will replace Michael Horgan, who announced earlier this year that he planned to step down from the post. The RSCI said candidates should have a proven track record... Read more

IMB advises on salicylate gels

Dara Gantly | 05 May 2009 | Regulation

The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) has advised the public that oral gels containing choline salicylate should be applied very sparingly and only at the frequency indicated in the product information. The products – Bonjela Oromucosal Gel and Teejel Gel –... Read more

IMO seeks GPs' views on creation of new GMS lists

Niamh Mullen | 05 May 2009 | General Practice

GPs’ views are being sought by the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) on a HSE proposal to create eleven new GMS lists. Most of the locations proposed are in Leinster. They are Dublin 8, City West, Pearse Street in Dublin 2,... Read more

Rugby hero Mullen will be missed

Gary Culliton | 05 May 2009 | Obituary

Dr Karl Mullen, who captained the team that won Ireland’s first Grand Slam, has died at the age of 82. He was educated at Belvedere College and practised as a gynaecologist. He passed away at his home in Kilcullen, Co... Read more

Quinn to cover St Pat’s

Mary Anne Kenny | 05 May 2009 | Private Healthcare

Quinn Healthcare and St Patrick’s Hospital have resolved contractual issues and renewed their agreement. The new agreement took effect on April 22 and covers all new and existing Quinn members in line with standard terms and conditions of their policies.... Read more

St James’s intends to spend €15m on drugs

Dara Gantly | 05 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

St James’s Hospital intends to spend up to €15 million on antibiotic, antifungal, antiretroviral and antimicrobial drugs. In a recent Prior Information Notice (PIN), released to alert the market to forthcoming opportunities, the hospital indicated that between €10 million and... Read more

Bowel screening must be rolled out

Niamh Mullen | 05 May 2009 | Public Health

The Irish Cancer Society has said the results of a pilot bowel-screening programme at Tallaght Hospital strengthen the argument for the national roll out of the scheme. So far during the pilot, led by Prof Colm O’Morain, 5,000 people aged... Read more

Hospitals could do better on family policies

Dara Gantly | 05 May 2009 | Industrial Relations

Four of Dublin’s major hospitals operate no official policy to allow staff to take term-time leave, despite the HSE describing such policies as ‘critically important’ in supporting work-life balance. The Mater, St Vincent’s, Tallaght and the Rotunda hospitals do not... Read more

HSE criticised for lab location policy by MLSA

Gary Culliton | 05 May 2009 | Public Health

The HSE was last week lashed by laboratory scientists who urged it to reconsider ‘a premature decision’ to locate laboratories on greenfield sites, despite the fact that its own report recommended that all options should be appraised carefully. The Annual... Read more

Review to examine effect of closure

Gary Culliton | 05 May 2009 | Features

The HSE is conducting a clinical review of circumstances surrounding Dan McDonnell’s care and death, with specific reference to the impact the closure of the 24-hour ED at Ennis General Hospital had on his care. The coroner will conduct a... Read more

Funding allocated for neonatal CF screening

Niamh Mullen | 01 May 2009 | Public Health

FUNDING has been allocated for neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis (CF). The announcement was made at the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland’s (CFAI) Annual Conference in Cork last weekend. One of the world’s leading CF experts, Prof Philip Farrell, of... Read more

Co-location will be 'gone from day one'

Terence Cosgrave | 01 May 2009 | Hospital Medicine

The co-location project whereby private hospitals are built on the campus of voluntary and public hospitals would be abandoned by a Fine Gael-led government, according to Fine Gael health spokesperson, Dr James Reilly. Dr Reilly was speaking to journalists at... Read more

FG launches radical plan

Terence Cosgrave | 01 May 2009 | Health Management

Fine Gael has launched its plan for the Irish healthcare service, which contains several radical new proposals that would completely reverse current policy. The party launched its ‘Faircare’ policy at a press conference last Monday in the Merrion Hotel in... Read more

GROUNDED: HSE to save millions by cutting travel

Gary Culliton | 01 May 2009 | Health Management

Strict new efficiency cuts will see a sweeping clampdown across the HSE on conferences (which have cost the Executive €10 million per annum in recent years) and on travel allowances, where already a cut of €1 million was achieved in... Read more

IMO: 'Disproportionate hit' on general practice

Niamh Mullen | 01 May 2009 | Industrial Relations

Yesterday's cut in doctor's fees and allowances payable in respect of State schemes, "will seriously inhibit the ability of general practice to continue to provide the range and breadth of services currently provided to patients," Dr. Ronan Boland, Chairman, IMO... Read more

Probable case of swine 'flu' in Ireland

Gary Culliton | 01 May 2009 | Public Health

Results of tests are due later today, following a probable case of swine flu in Ireland in a man from the east coast. It is understood the man had recently returned from Mexico. The World Health Organisation has raised its... Read more