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News: November 2009

New guide will make it easier for public to access services

Niamh Mullen | 30 November 2009 | Regulation

The Medical Council’s new guide on professional conduct and ethics will make it easier for the public to get information about the availability and price of medical services in their area. That’s according to the chair of the Competition Authority,... Read more

Seven-point plan to reduce childhood deaths launched

Dara Gantly | 30 November 2009 | Public Health

The World Health Organization (WHO) and Unicef have launched a seven-point plan to cut the number of child deaths from diarrhoea. Launching a new report on the disease in New York and Geneva recently (October 14), Unicef Executive Director Ann... Read more

Researcher wins prize for imaging innovation

30 November 2009 | Research and Education

A researcher from the University of Limerick has been awarded first prize in a competition for innovation in medical imaging techniques. Dr Barry Doyle’s paper won out over 53 other submissions from 15 countries.... Read more

Advertising restrictions eased

Dara Gantly | 27 November 2009 | Regulation

The Medical Council’s new Ethical Guide has significantly eased restrictions on advertising by doctors, following lobbying by the Competition Authority. The new guidelines have removed restrictions on the size, content and means of advertising, and specifies that the provision of... Read more

HSE to proceed with contracting out legal services

Dara Gantly | 27 November 2009 | Health Management

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has decided to proceed with contracting out its legal services in a bid to slash its multi-million euro legal bill. In a departure for current practice, the proposed contract will be based on a so-called... Read more

RCPI strongly urges vaccine for children

Gary Culliton | 26 November 2009 | Public Health

The RCPI’s Faculty of Paediatrics has strongly backed swine flu vaccination for all children over six months of age and for people in household contact with children aged less than six months. Immunisation may be obtained through HSE Clinics and... Read more

Labour Court delays cast doubt on NCHD contract

Dara Gantly | 26 November 2009 | Industrial Relations

The prospect of a new NCHD contract has been cast into doubt due to an overworked Labour Court swamped with industrial disputes. The Labour Court missed last Friday’s deadline (November 20) for completion of talks in the ongoing NCHD contract... Read more

Scheme to reduce costs and infections

Gary Culliton | 26 November 2009 | Hospital Medicine

Millions of euro will be saved through the appointment of teams of medical microbiologists, infectious disease physicians and anti-microbial pharmacists in hospitals across the country, a new report has found. The report recommends that every acute hospital should appoint these... Read more

Over 2,500 women in Ireland have undergone female genital mutilation

Niamh Mullen | 25 November 2009 | News

A year after its publication, The National Action Plan on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has still not been adopted by any Government agency, and legislation outlawing it has not been implemented. Director of Akidwa, the national network for African and... Read more

HSE ignites controversy on out-of-hours claims

Niamh Mullen | 25 November 2009 | General Practice

The HSE has accused GPs of making out-of-hours claims for consultations during or overflowing from scheduled surgery hours, rather than for urgent consultations. In a letter, the Executive told GPs normal surgery hours may need to be reviewed to meet... Read more

1.5m hold medical cards at cost of €1,650 each

Niamh Mullen | 25 November 2009 | General Practice

The number of medical card holders has reached almost 1.5 million, ahead of the result of a review of medical card eligibility due shortly. From January to September 30 this year, 96,621 medical cards were issued.... Read more

Doctors obliged to get vaccinated - Council

Dara Gantly | 25 November 2009 | Regulation

The Medical Council’s new Ethical Guide has reiterated the need for all doctors to receive the swine flu vaccine when it is rolled out to healthcare professionals. The Chairman of the Council’s Ethics Working Group, Dr Deirdre Madden, told Irish... Read more

Workplace injury claims are down

Niamh Mullen | 25 November 2009 | News

The economic downturn has resulted in a reduced number of workplace accident claims made to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board in 2009. Chief executive Patricia Byron said the Board had seen a 3 per cent decrease so far this year... Read more

Cross-border diabetes initiative has formed

Dara Gantly | 24 November 2009 | Public Health

A formal cross-border initiative in diabetes research has been set up by teams at NUI Galway and the University of Ulster to develop innovative solutions to the growing problem of the condition. Together with the HSE West and the Western... Read more

Doctors without insurance 'can and will cause damage'

Niamh Mullen | 24 November 2009 | Regulation

Only a ‘tiny’ number of doctors are practising without insurance but they ‘can and will cause damage’, Fine Gael health spokesperson Dr James Reilly has said. Anecdotal estimates put the number of uninsured doctors at around 40 or 50. In... Read more

Experts bring risk reduction to Ireland

Dara Gantly | 24 November 2009 | Health Management

A group of specialists has brought the international Residual Risk Reduction initiative (R3i) to this country in a bid to address the ‘disconcerting rates’ of macrovascular events and microvascular complications among Irish patients. Co-chaired by Dr Maeve Durkan, Consultant in... Read more

Antibiotic consumption down in 2009 - HPSC

Niamh Mullen | 23 November 2009 | Health Management

Antibiotic use dropped significantly during the first six months of 2009, new figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) indicate. Although the rate of consumption was at its highest ever in January, the average monthly consumption fell by 12.6... Read more

Nursing home site refused in Kildare

Dara Gantly | 23 November 2009 | Planning and Development

An Bord Pleanála has refused an appeal against a decision by Kildare County Council earlier this year to deny planning permission for a 60-bedroom nursing home in the county. The 1.75ha site for the proposed development is located at Balyna,... Read more

Doctor secures Harvard fellowship

23 November 2009 | Foreign News

Dr Garrett Lawlor has been awarded a fellowship a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital — one of the leading academic medical centres in the US. The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Fellowship offers a tenure at the Center for Inflammatory Bowel... Read more

Fetal surgery appointment

23 November 2009 | Hospital Medicine

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has appointed Professor Jacques Jani as a visiting professor to the Fetal Treatment Programme at the RCSI and Rotunda Hospital. Prof Jani began his tenure as an Honorary Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist... Read more

Doctors urged to save money

Dara Gantly | 20 November 2009 | Regulation

The Medical Council’s new ethical guide has tackled the controversial issue of healthcare resources head on by openly encouraging doctors to prescribe generic drugs. In a major departure for the Council, the seventh edition of the ‘Guide to Professional Conduct... Read more

The IMO presents four-point plan to reduce drug costs

Niamh Mullen | 20 November 2009 | Health Management

The IMO has presented Health Minister Mary Harney with a four-point plan it said would reduce the State’s annual medicines bill by €300 million. It said the savings would far exceed the €30 million identified in the McCarthy report and... Read more

Row over chair of consultant body

Dara Gantly | 20 November 2009 | Health Management

A row has erupted between consultant representatives and the HSE over the formation of the new Consultant Applications Advisory Committee (CAAC). An investigation by Irish Medical Times has discovered that the HSE National Director of Human Resources, Seán McGrath, has... Read more

Locums must have PAYE deducted

Niamh Mullen | 19 November 2009 | General Practice

There are concerns GP co-ops could incur increased staff costs because locums working at one out-of-hours service have been deemed employees by tax officials. The Appeals Commissioners has upheld a decision by Revenue that MIDOC, which operates in Longford and... Read more

IMO opposed to charges per item to card holders

Niamh Mullen | 19 November 2009 | Health Management

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), opposition party health spokespeople, the pharmaceutical industry and patient advocacy groups have expressed their opposition to the proposal to charge medical card holders 50 cent for every item prescribed. IMO GP Committee chairman, Dr Ronan... Read more

Council will seek new Competence director

Dara Gantly | 19 November 2009 | Regulation

The Medical Council has established a selection committee to recruit a new Head of Professional Competence, following sanction from the Department of Health to proceed with filling the post. The protracted recruitment process had been delayed after it emerged that... Read more

FG calls on HSE to explain med card discrepancy

Gary Culliton | 18 November 2009 | Health Management

Fine Gael Health Spokesman, Dr James Reilly TD, has called for an explanation from the HSE, following the release of figures showing that more than twice as many discretionary medical cards are held by people in the south than by... Read more

Maintenance staff to join one-day strike

Dara Gantly | 18 November 2009 | Industrial Relations

Some 5,000 maintenance workers in hospitals, local authorities and other public facilities are to support the 24-hour ICTU strike on November 24. The Local Authority and Health Service Craftworkers Group of Unions has served notice of industrial action up to... Read more

Expert nomination to be agreed by IMO and HSE

Dara Gantly | 18 November 2009 | Public Health

The IMO and the HSE are due to meet this week to agree upon the nomination of an independent expert to review the current interim out-of-hours public health doctors’ (PHD) service. Following the deferral of a planned meeting recently, both... Read more

Cytology tenders invited by NCSS

Niamh Mullen | 18 November 2009 | Health Management

The National Cancer Screening Service (NCSS) is inviting applications from companies to provide its cytology laboratory services for CervicalCheck 16 months after the first contract was awarded. US company Quest Diagnostics won the contract to provide the service, which began... Read more

Sports legend launches paediatric campaign

Niamh Mullen | 18 November 2009 | Hospital Medicine

The man named athlete of the century by the International Olympic Committee will visit Ireland and Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin next week. Brazilian footballer Pelé will spend two hours at the hospital on Thursday, November 26 before visiting... Read more

Boots employees to picket unilateral cuts in pay and benefits

Dara Gantly | 18 November 2009 | Industrial Relations

Workers at Boots pharmacies will be placing pickets on all stores throughout the country on Saturday November 28. Mandate Trade Union has accused the employer of ‘blatantly’ taking advantage of the recession by unilaterally changing the terms and conditions of... Read more

Wyndale clinic to go ahead next year

Gary Culliton | 18 November 2009 | Planning and Development

It is hoped that construction will begin on Letterkenny’s €45m, 125,000 square-feet Wyndale Clinic early next year, according to one of the project’s backers, Mr Pat Harvey, a former CEO of the North West Health Board. The planned private hospital... Read more

Dr Boland is honoured at ICGP gala night

Terence Cosgrave | 17 November 2009 | News

The Irish College of General Practitioners celebrated their 25th anniversary with a gala dinner at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham on November 7. The gathering was addressed by the president of WONCA, Professor Chris van Weel who spoke on the... Read more

Irish Medicines Board gives safety warning on rituximab and PML

Dara Gantly | 17 November 2009 | Regulation

The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) has drawn doctors’ attention to an important safety warning relating to rituximab (MabThera) and Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients treated for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). PML is a rare, progressive, demyelinating disease of the central... Read more

Research 'driving force behind better treatment

Niamh Mullen | 16 November 2009 | Research and Education

Smoking prevalence, dental health, a vaccine against MRSA and why people do not donate blood were just some of the topics studied by Health Research Board (HRB) last year. Its ‘Picture of Health 2009’, published this week, gives examples of... Read more

DMD register to be officially recognised

16 November 2009 | News

Irish sufferers of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) received some welcome news this week with the announcement by the Government that they will officially recognise the informal Irish-British register. Junior Health Minister John Moloney said that he intends to intensify efforts... Read more

Oz wizards to shake up costs

Dara Gantly | 13 November 2009 | Health Management

The HSE has chosen an Australian-based company with offices in the UK to advise it on how best to introduce patient level costing (PLC) into the Irish health service. The consultants have been hired by St James’s Hospital — acting... Read more

‘Hundreds’ are working more than private ratio

Gary Culliton | 13 November 2009 | Industrial Relations

‘Hundreds’ of hospital consultants are currently working more than their contracted ratio of private hours, Prof Brendan Drumm told the Public Accounts Committee last week. In August, the HSE reported that a significant number of public beds had been closed... Read more

Elderberry fights flu?

Niamh Mullen | 13 November 2009 |

Black elderberry has been suggested as a way to treat and prevent swine flu. Scientists at the UK-based Retroscreen Virology Centre found it was 70 per cent effective in preventing the virus from infecting healthy cells.... Read more

Cork GP escapes erasure from Register

Staff reporter | 12 November 2009 | Regulation

A GP from Cork found guilty of professional misconduct has escaped erasure from the medical register. The Medical Council’s Fitness to Practise (FTP) Committee yesterday (November 11) found Polish-born Dr Iwona Kulczyk-Repec guilty of professional misconduct on seven counts. She... Read more

IMO in EU NCHD survey

Dara Gantly | 12 November 2009 | Industrial Relations

The IMO is expected to survey its NCHD members over the next four months to gauge their opinion on all aspects of the European Working Time Directive (EWTD), Irish Medical Times has learned. The move is part of a comprehensive... Read more

Deadline approaches for NCHD contract

Dara Gantly | 12 November 2009 | Industrial Relations

The IMO and the HSE had yet to receive a date for arbitration at time of going to press from the Labour Court on a proposed new contract for NCHDs. The Court has until November 20 to hammer out a... Read more

Prosecutions may follow Shine review

Dara Gantly | 12 November 2009 | Regulation

Minister for Health Mary Harney has decided to establish an independent review to examine whether further investigation into the case of former Drogheda surgeon Michael Shine would be of ‘public benefit’. The move follows a meeting last month with the... Read more

Donor programme need for cystic fibrosis

11 November 2009 | Hospital Medicine

Ireland has the highest rate of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) in the world as well as the most severe types, but Irish CF patients do not have sufficient access to quality healthcare. “The present situation in Ireland is completely inadequate,” according... Read more

'Third world' waits two years after Task Force

Gary Culliton | 11 November 2009 | Hospital Medicine

Two years after the Emergency Department Task Force report, patients in Emergency Departments (EDs) face ‘third world’ waits of up to 28 hours to be admitted to a hospital ward, despite the HSE’s national target being a maximum of six... Read more

Council begins search for CEO

Dara Gantly | 11 November 2009 | Regulation

The Medical Council has established a selection committee to recruit a successor to John Lamont, who resigned as Chief Executive with effect from October 30. Marcus Balfe, Head of Finance and Acting Secretary to Council, has been appointed interim CEO.... Read more

GMC resumes inquiry into Dr Wakefield

Dara Gantly | 11 November 2009 | Regulation

The General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK is due to resume its public inquiry into Dr Andrew Wakefield next week. The GMC’s Fitness to Practise Panel has set aside 25 days for this latest session, which starts on November... Read more

North/South prices vary by 160 per cent

11 November 2009 | News

Price differences of more than 160 per cent on the cost of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines have been identified by the National Consumer Agency (NCA). The NCA surveyed 117 products sold across eight pharmacy chains, four independent pharmacies and four supermarkets.... Read more

FTP inquiry resumes into Cork GP’s prescribing

Staff reporter | 11 November 2009 | Regulation

The Medical Council’s Fitness to Practise (FTP) hearing into a GP from Cork facing charges of professional misconduct has resumed today at Cork’s Silversprings Hotel. The hearing against Polish-born Dr Iwona Kulczyk-Repec, for allegedly prescribing large doses of opiate-based drugs... Read more

One million still can't access out-of-hours GP

Niamh Mullen | 10 November 2009 | General Practice

More than one million people in Ireland still do not have access to a formal GP out-of-hours service. Last year approximately 920, 000 calls were made to out-of-hours services, according to the Health Service Executive (HSE). In its Report Against... Read more

Email adverse reactions - IMB

Dara Gantly | 10 November 2009 | General Practice

GPs have been advised by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) to report electronically any suspected adverse reactions to the H1N1 (swine flu) influenza vaccines, as the postal system may well be disrupted by the pandemic. The Board stressed that as... Read more

A good diet may fend off depression

10 November 2009 | Research and Education

Eating well may help stave off depression later on in life, a new study claims. But people who are partial to fatty processed foods may be up to twice as likely to suffer from depression than their healthy eating counterparts,... Read more

Planning permission granted for St James's

Dara Gantly | 09 November 2009 | Planning and Development

Dublin City Council has granted outline planning permission for phase 2 of radiation oncology facilities at St James’s Hospital in Dublin. The development comprises a new four-storey over basement radiation oncology structure (approx 14,020 sqm) and a new single-storey link... Read more

Act on smuggling says ASH

Niamh Mullen | 09 November 2009 | Public Health

The Government must do more to tackle tobacco smuggling because it increases smoking prevalence and will increase the national spend on tobacco-related disease. That is the message from anti-smoking organisation ASH Ireland, which said it is ‘seriously concerned’ about tobacco... Read more

Medical Council CEO retires

Dara Gantly | 09 November 2009 | Regulation

The Chief Executive of the Medical Council Mr John Lamont is to retire from the post to pursue other interests. Lamont joined the Council in 2004, having previously served as Chief Executive of Beaumont Hospital, one of the largest acute... Read more

Primary care breakdown

Niamh Mullen | 06 November 2009 | General Practice

The relationship between GPs and the Health Service Executive (HSE) in the Dublin North East region has broken down ‘irretrievably’ with only 16 primary care teams (PCTs) functioning in the area. And only three of those teams are operating in... Read more

Lack of 48-hour week outside control of HSE

Dara Gantly | 06 November 2009 | Health Management, Industrial Relations

The HSE has stated that if it has not fully implemented a settlement agreement achieving compliance with the 48-hour week for NCHDs, this is due to factors outside its control. In a robust defence delivered to the High Court late... Read more

HSE urges no sins of 'omission'

Dara Gantly | 06 November 2009 | Health Management

And so fellow HSE employees, ask not what your Executive can do for you — ask what you can do for your Executive. This rallying of troops is suggested in the HSE’s latest Code of Standards and Behaviour, which implores... Read more

Swine flu vaccine off to a disorganised start

05 November 2009 | Public Health

The Irish Medical Times will run a daily news update on the progress of the roll-out of the swine flu (H1N1) vaccine to general practitioners throughout the country from this week. Dr John Casey of Ardfert, Co Kerry, told IMT... Read more

Five-year wait for epilepsy surgery

Gary Culliton | 05 November 2009 | Hospital Medicine

Waiting times of between three and five years are typical for patients who require life-saving epilepsy surgery at Beaumont Hospital. Current waiting times stand at up to two years to get an initial appointment to see a neurologist. To then... Read more

4,402 personal injury claims made in first six months

Niamh Mullen | 05 November 2009 | News

Rewards of €105 million were made for 4,402 personal injury claims during the first six months of this year. Car accidents accounted for 73 per cent of awards, public liability cases 16 per cent, while accidents in the workplace generated... Read more

Foster care slammed in HIQA report

Gary Culliton | 04 November 2009 | Health Management

Serious deficits in standards aimed at safeguarding vulnerable children, including lapses in vetting procedures for staff and foster carers working with children, are highlighted in HIQA’s National Children in Care Inspection Report 2008, which was published today (November 4). Dr... Read more

Out-of-hours public health docs seek pay

Dara Gantly | 04 November 2009 | Public Health

An independent public health doctor (PHD) agreed between the HSE and the IMO will have less than a month to complete a review of the interim out-of-hours PHD service. The expert, who is understood to be from the UK, is... Read more

New elective site could be Cappagh

Niamh Mullen | 04 November 2009 | Planning and Development

An elective surgical centre for the eastern region could be built on a 30-acre site at Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital in Dublin, CEO Aidan Gleeson has said. Such a facility would take the pressure off emergency services in Dublin and... Read more

Two deaths at Drogheda hospital may be due to C Diff

03 November 2009 | Hospital Medicine

Two deaths at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital have been notified to the Coroner as being possibly related to an outbreak of C Diff (Clostridium Difficile). The outbreak of C Diff at the Drogheda hospital has comprised 10 confirmed cases... Read more

HPAT introduction was 'clumsy' and untested

Niamh Mullen | 03 November 2009 | Research and Education

The introduction of the Health Professionals Admiss-ions Test (HPAT) was clumsy, took many in the medical and education profession by surprise and was not pilot-tested. This criticism of the new method of entry to medical school was written by Dr... Read more

HSE to 'mobilise' €2 million

Dara Gantly | 03 November 2009 | Health Management

The HSE anticipates saving up to €2 million over 18 months on mobile phone charges, under a new agreement negotiated with Vodafone and O2. Last year, the Executive spent approximately €6 million on mobile phone charges. This bill will now... Read more

UL research director named

03 November 2009 | Research and Education

Prof Colum Dunne has been announced as the new Director of Research of the Graduate Entry Medical School (GEMS) at the University of Limerick. The appointment was welcomed by Professor Paul Finucane, Head of the GEMS, who noted Prof Dunne’s... Read more

Fatty processed foods linked to depression

Brian Herron | 02 November 2009 | Research and Education

Eating well may help stave off depression later on in life, a new study claims. But people who are partial to fatty processed foods may be up to twice as likely to suffer from depression than their healthy eating counterparts,... Read more

Ireland near top of EU HIV/AIDS study

Dara Gantly | 02 November 2009 | Public Health

The care and conditions for people living with HIV/AIDS in Ireland are good but could improve, according to a new European-wide survey. The Euro HIV Index 2009 ranked Ireland 10th out of 29 countries, scoring 736 points from a potential... Read more

Generics may save €23m per year

Dara Gantly | 02 November 2009 | Health Management

The Minister for Health has ruled out nationalising the wholesale distribution of drugs and medicines supplied under the GMS and community drugs schemes as a means of saving money for the Exchequer. Responding to a series of parliamentary questions last... Read more

New therapy at TCD for diseases of retina

Gary Culliton | 02 November 2009 | Research and Education

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have reported the development of a new drug delivery system which has the potential to treat degenerative diseases of the retina, including retinitis pigmentosa (RP), age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The research was led... Read more