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News: Features

All entries for Features

5% of health staff should go

Dara Gantly | 16 July 2009

An Bord Snip Nua has recommended that 6,168 staff in the health service should be axed in order to make savings of €1,230 million a year. This amounts to more than 5 per cent of the entire workforce. With health... Read more

Men’s sexual health – an overview

Dr Andrew Rynne | 19 June 2009

Dr Andrew Rynne takes a look back at the history of men's sexual health over the last 40 years and concludes that we have come a long way... Read more

Education in sports and exercise medicine at NUIG

Dr Aideen Henry | 29 May 2009

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

Review to examine effect of closure

Gary Culliton | 05 May 2009

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

Woman dies from cancer after receiving 'all-clear' diagnosis

Terence Cosgrave | 10 September 2008

A woman that was given the ‘all-clear’ from cancer in April 2007 was diagnosed as having terminal cancer four months later and died last April. On 25 April 2008 Ann Moriarty, aged 53, died in Cahercalla Community Hospital, Ennis, of... Read more

Students showcase software solutions

08 September 2008

Software systems which have been developed by UCC students could have a major positive impact on patient care. Students from University College Cork have developed innovative software systems that could change the way in which emergency units, sudden cardiac death... Read more

Special Report: Still waiting for answers on suicide

Ian McGuinness | 12 August 2008

Irish Medical Times reports from an Oireactas meeting on suicide prevention and finds that answers are still not forthcoming on the progress of implementing the Reach Out report. There are just no answers to suicide. Or so it would seem.... Read more

Feature: Basic terms of employment

06 August 2008

Dairine Walsh, Solicitor with Beauchamps Solicitors, outlines the minimum requirements that employers must satisfy when hiring an employee either full time or part time. Every doctor who employs staff must give them the basic terms and conditions of their employment... Read more

E-health: Cracking the code to patient safety

Helix Health | 01 August 2008

A study has revealed that flaws in barcode technology, which aims to match patients with the right medication, can increase the risk of certain drug errors. Barcode technology, which is designed to match hospital patients with the right dose of... Read more

Don't leave me this way

Barry O'Brien | 13 July 2008

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

How to write a winning entry

10 July 2008

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

Enhance your presentation skills

Rory Hafford | 01 July 2008

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

Patients prefer straight-talk from doctors

29 June 2008

A new study shows that terminally-ill patients prefer their doctors to discuss end-of-life care with them and to be truthful about what the future holds. It may be one of the most difficult things for a doctor to have to... Read more

Fertility clinics still operating in limbo

28 June 2008

Sandra Ryan writes that there is no legal framework regulating IVF in Ireland and it means doctors are working in a very uncertain environment. Of all the grey areas in the Irish health service, the lack of concrete legislation and... Read more

Temple Street home for patients’ families

25 June 2008

The FIRST ‘HOME Away from Home’ house for Temple Street Children’s University Hospital which will provide a home for families of sick children opened this week. The ‘Your Home Away From Home’ project was launched in early 2006 to assist... Read more

Harney to rule on 'cost effective' vaccine

Gary Culliton | 24 June 2008

Gary Culliton writes on the possibility that a cervical cancer vaccination programme will be launched in Ireland soon. Health Minister Harney has indicated that a decision will be made this summer on whether a cervical cancer vaccination programme can proceed.... Read more

Nurse manager's case of alleged discrimination failed to convince

Ed Madden BL | 24 June 2008

Ed Madden BL, looks at a recent Equality Tribunal case in which a Clinical Nurse Manager failed to prove discrimination for not bein allowed retained a 30-hour week on promotion, Ms Susan O’Brien was employed by Cork University Hospital as... Read more

Preparing for a vital medical interview

Rory Hafford | 22 June 2008

In the first article of a new Irish Medical Times series on communication in medicine, Rory Hafford, Senior Consultant with Carr Communications, looks at the best preparation for the medical interview. Doctors are arguably the most highly-trained and best prepared... Read more

Attacks on staff in North still a problem

Ian McGuinness | 21 June 2008

Despite the introduction of a zero tolerance campaign last June, the number of attacks on healthcare workers is still an issue in Northern Ireland. Attacks on healthcare workers has been raised as an issue of concern once more, this time... Read more

The partnership's perspective

Barry O'Brien | 18 June 2008

Barry O'Brien offers some advice to existing partners in general practice who are looking to recruit a new GP into their partnership. The recruitment of a new GP partner to a general practice is probably one of the hardest and... Read more

Try turning off that blinking box for a change

Mari Gallagher | 17 June 2008

Mari Gallagher writes about how television can prove to be a negative influence, both on family life and on the physical and mental health of children today. Irish writer, Eilis Ni Dhuibhne makes a number of insightful comments in her... Read more

Exploring the science of song

Dr Mark Tramo | 16 June 2008

Work carried out by Dr Mark Tramo in Harvard Medical School suggests that patient care can be greatly improved by using music to relieve their pain. Most of us are familiar with how a sudden blast of our favourite piece... Read more

Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine

Dr Charles Dupont | 15 June 2008

Dr Charles Dupont, Consultant Dermatologist, assesses the seventh edition of the classic textbook on dermatology in general medical practice. This classic American textbook is here again with over 300 contributors and many changes from the sixth edition. Most notably, only... Read more

The changing life of the Irish GP

Alan Deeley | 15 June 2008

Alan Deeley speaks to Dr Anthony Cummins, who is asking doctors to contribute to his compilation of stories about the changes in general practice over the years. A new project will assemble the wealth of anecdotes and experience that general... Read more

Why should patients have to wait for urgent tests?

Dr Illona Duffy | 13 June 2008

Dr Illona Duffy thinks that Prof Tom Keane's plans for GPs to take on a bigger role in the care of cancer patients will result in longer waiting times for diagnostic tests — and lower standards of patient care as... Read more

Celebrating the life of the older woman

Liz McManus | 12 June 2008

Liz McManus, Labour TD, writes about the lives of older women in Ireland today and finds that although there are still issues to be overcome, women aged over 55 have much to look forward to and also much to celebrate.... Read more

Osteopath had ready-made systems for all of his patients

Ed Madden | 10 June 2008

Ed Madden, BL, looks at a case in which the Court of Appeal considered whether an osteopath had been inappropriately sanctioned by a Fitness to Practice Committee. Donald Moody was a registered osteopath of many years’ experience. A complaint was... Read more

'Patchy' services affect patient care

Sandra Ryan | 07 June 2008

Sandra Ryan looks at osteoporosis services in Ireland, after a new study revealed that European patients fare worse than those in other continents. In a first-of-its-kind study on osteoporosis, one in four women surveyed from Europe, North America and Australia... Read more

Do referral letters have a function any more?

Dr Paul Heslin | 06 June 2008

Dr Paul Heslin wonders if the referral letter has had its day and if the GP's role has been marginalised Will the new Medical Council change our approach towards GP referral letters to consultants, as recently announced? Will patients now... Read more

E-health: Detecting patterns in diabetes

Helix Health | 06 June 2008

A project being carried out by Waterford Institute of Technology's Telecommunications Software & Systems Group aims to employ technology in order to enhance the care of people with diabetes. MORE is a research project that is currently being undertaken by... Read more

Gynaecologist challenged suspension

Ed Madden | 06 June 2008

Ed Madden BL looks at a case in which a gynaecologist who was found guilty of serious professional misconduct sought to challenge the decision to suspend his registration with the GMC. Dr Said Arzhangi, who is now 65 years old,... Read more

Cappagh celebrates centenary of care

Dr Nuala O'Farrell | 04 June 2008

Dr Nuala O'Farrell attended the recent Cappagh Hospital centenary celebrations and heard some good-news stories about our health service. Unsung heroes’ are, I suppose, by their very nature retiring, self-deprecatory and avoiding of the limelight. It takes a great atmosphere... Read more

Abortion debate in UK fails to change upper time limits

Sandra Ryan | 02 June 2008

Sandra Ryan looks at the debate and vote that took place last week in Westminster and the reasons why MPs voted to keep the abortion status quo. Last week, MPs in Britain voted to reject attempts to reduce the upper... Read more

Ireland must fight for devices industry

Greg Baxter | 01 June 2008

Greg Baxter spoke to Dr John O'Dwyer about how competition from other countries may threaten Ireland's medical devices industry. Ireland could lose irrevocable ground to Poland and the Czech Republic if it does not reduce bureaucracy in clinical trials for... Read more

Get your entries in for the Healthcare Awards

Mary Anne Kenny | 27 May 2008

If you have been part of a development in healthcare that is a good example of excellence and innovation, or you know of a project or person within the pharmaceutical or healthcare industries that deserves recognition, it’s time to let... Read more

Mobile masts meet muted response

Ian McGuinness | 27 May 2008

The issue of mobile phone companies putting equipment on hospital buildings is back in the public eye once more, following two planning applications in Cork and Dublin. Late last year, O2 Communications (Ireland) Limited applied to Cork City Council for... Read more

Simple steps to a more efficient day

26 May 2008

Dr Paul Heslin piles on the pounds (literally) while looking after the pennies in practice. Become aware of the economics of repetition in your medical business and you will extract added value from your time. Design your practice and your... Read more

MSF battles to bring aid to cyclone victims

Sandra Ryan | 22 May 2008

Sandra Ryan spoke to representatives of Médecins Sans Frontières about the organisation's efforts to bring aid to cyclone-stricken Myanmar, formerly Burma Media coverage of the cyclone that devastated Myanmar (formerly Burma) on 2 May has waned, probably more because of... Read more

Partnerships — the GP assistant's perspective

22 May 2008

General practice as an industry is like many others in so far as it has its own individual foibles and idiosyncrasies. Not least of these oddities is the method by which new partners are recruited to existing partnerships. Anecdotal evidence... Read more

Palliative care funding 'disappears'

Ian McGuinness | 21 May 2008

Ian McGuinness on the revelations that funding allocated for hospice and palliative care was used to balance the HSE's books Psychiatry is often referred to as the ‘Cinderella of the health services’. If so, then palliative care must be Cinderella’s... Read more

Barriers to clinical research must be broken

21 May 2008

Greg Baxter reports from a conference on clinical research in Ireland, where experts warned that Irish researchers must link with industry in order to compete internationally. The race toward excellence in healthcare is fuelled by research. While trolley waits and... Read more

E-health: New wave of healthcare provision

21 May 2008

Developments in the use of biosensors mean that doctors may soon be able to monitor injuries and illness from remote locations. Compact, wireless and power-efficient body sensors that allow doctors to monitor illnesses and injuries remotely are a step closer,... Read more

Dr Vincent Dolan — an appreciation

20 May 2008

Dr Vincent Dolan, Renal Physician, passed away unexpectedly on 17 April, 2007. Vincent Dolan (or Vinny, as he was known) was born in Dublin and educated in Blackrock College. He graduated from Univer-sity College Dublin in 1996 and trained in... Read more

Adherence to medication regimens can be improved

20 May 2008

Though is is difficult to get 100% compliance, it is possible to get higher levels of adherence to medication regimens with the right approach and teamwork. No matter how good the level of care provided by GPs or hospital staff,... Read more

Adherence to medication regimens can be improved

14 May 2008

Though is is difficult to get 100% compliance, it is possible to get higher levels of adherence to medication regimens with the right approach and teamwork. No matter how good the level of care provided by GPs or hospital staff,... Read more

Stoppages and strikes on horizon?

Ian McGuinness | 14 May 2008

Ian McGuinness writes on the industrial unrest within the health sector and wonders if we are in for a 'Summer of Discontent'. The Irish health services might be about to have a summer of discontent. With the Psychiatric Nurses Association... Read more

How do you tell your patients everything's fine when it's not?

Dr Illona Duffy | 09 May 2008

Dr Illona Duffy says the HSE has lost the plot about healthcare provision and now it's up to doctors Just when it looked like things couldn’t get any worse, they did. The HSE and more specifically Prof Brendan Drumm have... Read more

Victim of a killing machine

Gary Culliton | 05 May 2008

After removal of the wrong kidney during an operation at Crumlin Hospital, IMT looks back at a case where a Cork man, whom the health service 'failed at every point of contact', died as a result of medical bungling. One... Read more

E-health: Are 'robodocs' the way of the future in our hospitals?

05 May 2008

Robots are assisting with patient care in a growing number of US hospitals, but it seems unlikely that they will replace doctors and nurses any time soon. Could a combination of metallic parts and microchips ever provide the same level... Read more

Time to break the silence as stroke patients suffer

Dr Dominick McCabe | 30 April 2008

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

CareLink: major saving in working time

Gary Culliton | 29 April 2008

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

Child protection procedures ignored

Sandra Ryan | 28 April 2008

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

Doctors battle for CF resources

Derbhile Dromey | 26 April 2008

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

30 years a-growing for Sligo GPs

Dr Phil Murray | 26 April 2008

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

E-health: System to predict glucose levels

25 April 2008

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

Doctor urges stem cell clarity

Gary Culliton | 24 April 2008

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

Hitting drunk drivers where it hurts

Ian McGuinness | 21 April 2008

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

Irishwoman beats blisters to finish desert marathon

21 April 2008

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

Ticking time-bomb of obesity epidemic

Sandra Ryan | 20 April 2008

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

Former President Hillery dies at home ages 84

Gary Culliton | 17 April 2008

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

Managing change - it's all about people

Barry O'Brien | 16 April 2008

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

UK pharmacists' role to expand

16 April 2008

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

HSE accused of 'pre-empting' pricing

15 April 2008

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

Clare doctors 'betrayed'

15 April 2008

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

Control the mind, win the game

Sandra Ryan | 13 April 2008

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

Give overseas docs 'a fair go'

Dr Ernan Hession | 13 April 2008

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

Tuberculosis: the problem returns with a new and alarming complexity

Dr Joseph Keane | 12 April 2008

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

HIQA: devastating O'Malley fallout

Gary Culliton | 08 April 2008

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

Not much done, lots more to do

Greg Baxter | 08 April 2008

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

Doctor fails to prevent Fitness to Practice inquiry

Ed Madden | 04 April 2008

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

Irish medics for Chad mission

Gary Culliton | 03 April 2008

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

Ireland answers the call for help after earthquake devastation

Mr Javaid Butt | 03 April 2008

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

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

Fiona Crowley | 02 April 2008

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

Epilepsy services fail patients

Sandra Ryan | 28 March 2008

Sandra Ryan reports on the lack of epilepsy services in Ireland and gets the expert view on what is needed to improve the situation. Epilepsy services in Ireland, and neurology services in the country generally, are among the worst in... Read more

Public health advocacy — the role of doctors

Prof Joe Barry | 26 March 2008

In advance of the IMO's AGM Prof Joe Barry, says that doctors must also be advocates for patients and better health services. It is a well-established principle of medical practice that doctors advocate for their patients and for better health... Read more

Bedsheet watches over heart problems

23 March 2008

A new pilot project tests bedsheets able to monitor CVD patients and send any warning information directly to the clinicians involved in their care In an effort to improve care for patients with diagnosed heart conditions, bedsheets with built-in sensors... Read more

Payment in advance - an ever-increasing option?

Barry O'Brien | 22 March 2008

This week, Barry O'Brien discusses the issue of payment in advance for GPs - how to introduce it, and how it can reduce bad debts to zero Most GPs, practice managers and even patients’ eyes go wide when I mention... Read more

Cork GP publishes Irish medical novel

Mary Anne Kenny | 18 March 2008

Family secrets, small-town intrigue, hidden love and hospital drama, all played out in the shadow of Big Pharma… Dr Bridget Maher’s first novel has enough action crammed in to keep the reader turning its pages. Fallen Angels is the story... Read more

Cosmetic surgery to carry health warnings?

Sandra Ryan | 18 March 2008

Sandra Ryan reports on the Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons' call for changes to advertising laws and more regulation of cosmetic surgery clinics Strong new proposals from the Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons (IAPS), including the recommendation that advertisements for... Read more

It's a G'day down under for doctors

Dr Ernan Hession | 11 March 2008

The new Australian correspondent for the Irish Medical Times, Dr Ernan Hession introduces himself with a brief description of his life as a doctor in Australia and the challenges facing rural doctors there. It’s nearly 20 years now since I... Read more

Are we all stuck on board a sinking ship?

Dr Nuala O'Farrell | 09 March 2008

Dr Nuala O'Farrell writes that the HSE is like the Titanic - swallowing up all available funds, cut off from those it's meant to care for and ignoring major problems Good doctors, the author Gregory David Roberts says in his... Read more

Award-winning Norwegian medical student credits RCSI for success

Natalya Anderson | 07 March 2008

Natalya Anderson speaks to Dag Netteland, the Norwegian student whose project on the effects of silencing angiogenin on motoneuron survival earned him and honourable mention at last year's Irish Healthcare Awards Earning an honourable mention at last year’s Irish Healthcare... Read more

GPs should shun screening

Dr Garrett Hayes | 07 March 2008

The following is derived from a letter written by Dr Garrett Hayes, a GP in Lucan, to Dr Alan Smith, a consultant with the Irish Cancer Screening Programme. He recommends that all GPs shun the programme as it exists now,... Read more

A new genre of drug treatment?

Thecla Scully | 06 March 2008

Thecla Scully reports on a radical new method of drug delivery that is capable of transporting drugs to specific sites in the body Researchers have been promising a revolution in drug treatment for a long time. It is many years... Read more

Practice Management: Interviews - time to get personal?

Barry O'Brien | 05 March 2008

Barry O'Brien recounts the memory of a particularly uncomfortable interview – even though he was on the interview board! Imagine the scene: I’m on an interview board (in a consultancy capacity). Two GP partners and myself are listening attentively to... Read more

Cord-blood stem cells offer hope for future treatments

Gary Culliton | 29 February 2008

Gary Culliton speaks to Prof Colin McGuckin about the many therapeutic uses for cord-blood stem cells A ‘bubble child’ from Northern Ireland has received a cord blood transplant at a facility run by Ballymena-born Prof Colin McGuckin in Newcastle, England,... Read more

UK doctors urged to issue 'well notes'

Mary Anne Kenny | 28 February 2008

Mary Anne Kenny looks at a proposed pilot scheme for the UK, which would see changes to the GP sick-certificate system Whose responsibility is it to monitor employees’ sick leave – bosses, patients or doctors themselves? The UK’s Health Secretary... Read more

Gut reactions to asthma treatment

Gary Culliton | 27 February 2008

Gary Culliton speaks with Dr James Martin of the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Clinic, UCC, on his research into the immunology of asthma It is increasingly the view in Europe — more even than in North America — that probiotics and the... Read more

Further NTPF contract for Galway

Gary Culliton | 27 February 2008

Gary Culliton examines how the NTPF is tackling one of the biggest issues in relation to waiting lists: getting the initial consultation The Galway Clinic has been contracted to carry out a further 2,000 outpatient consultations – including ENT and... Read more

One small step or one giant leap towards access to medicines for all?

Gemma O'Farrell | 26 February 2008

Gemma O'Farrell wonders if intellectual property provisions contained in free-trade agreements will undermine WTO attempts to solve the problem of providing universal access to medicines On 30 November 2007, Peter Mandelson, the EU’s Trade Commissioner, announced that the EU has... Read more

Committee reveals sell-off money trail

Ian McGuinness | 19 February 2008

Ian McGuinness attended a recent Dail committee meeting where the money raised from the sale of psychiatric hospital land was discussed. Anybody who assumed that money acquired via the sale of psychiatric buildings and lands would automatically be ploughed back... Read more

Medical advertising to be changed?

Gary Culliton | 19 February 2008

Gary Culliton reports on the upcoming changes to the Medical Council's Code of Ethics on advertising and how it will affect doctors The Medical Council’s Code of Ethics concerning advertisements is to be changed before the end of April, to... Read more

Non-EU doctors face discrimination

Ian McGuinness | 16 February 2008

Ian McGuinness talks Mr Syed Jaffrey about the discrimination some non EU consultants are experiencing from some institutions Non-European Union doctors still have grievances to air and many are the same ones that they have been complaining about for years.... Read more

All systems go for clinical support

16 February 2008

Clinical Decision Support Systems can be tailored to facilitate the many complexities of effective and efficient medical decision-making With the accelerating pace of today’s medical climate, healthcare practitioners are under increasing pressure to cope with the masses of medical information... Read more

Altered states of consciousness

Thecla Scully | 15 February 2008

Thecla Scully reports on the power of hypnosis, its detractors and supporters, and its role in practical treatment. What, if any, is the science behind hypnosis and is it ever really posible to control the mind of another person? When... Read more

Flu season is not to be sneezed at this winter

Mary Anne Kenny | 14 February 2008

Mary Anne Kenny reports on the upsurge in the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza in the country this winter It happens every year and, sure enough, the European flu season has once again arrived to ruin many people’s New... Read more

Hospitals' corporate structure is key to unlocking their potential

Vincent Barton | 11 February 2008

Mr Vincent Barton says that a fundamental question for hospitals - and indeed the health service as a whole - is how the major hospitals will be governed in the future. He argues that it makes sense for HSE hospitals... Read more

If you drink doubles, we've no troubles

Greg Baxter | 07 February 2008

Greg Baxter wonders if proposals to increase the cost of alcohol would have any real effect on alcohol abuse. I asked a friend of mine if she’d decrease her drinking if a vodka and 7up - this is one of... Read more

Court rules on right to life of psychiatric patients

Ed Madden | 06 February 2008

Ed Madden, BL, looks at a Court of Appeal case in England, in which the Court examined the right to life of psychiatric patients under the European Convention on Human Rights On 5 July 2004, 49-year-old Carol Savage committed suicide,... Read more

Patients benefit from IT nursing supports

Mary Anne Kenny | 06 February 2008

Mary Anne Kenny looks at how user-friendly technology has allowed nurses in Los Angeles, California, to spend much more time at patients' bedsides The percentage of time that nurses spend at patients’ bedsides has soared from 34 per cent to... Read more

Report reveals need for change in care for trauma patients

Dr Morgan McMonagle | 06 February 2008

A new UK report reveals that 60 per cent of UK trauma patients received care that was considered less than good practice. Irish doctor Morgan McMonagle — who was on the Advisory Committee of the NCEPOD Trauma Report — asks... Read more

Jury will be out for some time

Kealan Flynn | 06 February 2008

Kealan Flynn asks whether investment in community health services will ever be enough to ease the bed-capacity problems of the public sector Perhaps the most important underpinning of the new integrated care model proposed in the latest bed capacity review... Read more

Accounting for non-accountants

Barry O'Brien | 06 February 2008

Barry O’Brien advises that having access to up-to-date, accurate information on your finances ensures that your business decisions are a great deal easier to make and you are also much more likely to be successful. As a business consultant to... Read more

Dr Jim (Blacky) Maguire - obituary

PM | 06 February 2008

When Jim died on Good Friday (last year), his patients lost their doctor, doctors lost a colleague and team leader, and we all lost a friend. We lost a uniquely-gifted person. Jim was a most sincere and caring person, honest... Read more

The invisible cost of chasing debts

Barry O'Brien | 25 January 2008

As a non-clinical partner in a general practice, I seem to have a slightly different perspective on how we should deal with patients who don’t settle their bill directly after their consultation. Maybe it’s a result of a decade in... Read more

Bug resistance worries rise

Mary Anne Kenny | 25 January 2008

Although there have been developments in terms of establishing surveillance programmes to reduce the numbers of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in Irish hospitals, a lack of resources and a paucity of laboratory staff hinder the amount of progress that... Read more

Body farm for human decomposition tests

Thecla Scully | 18 January 2008

In the sweltering heat of a Tennessee summer, a young man prises open the boot of an abandoned car and begins to photograph the dismembered corpse that lies within. He collects a number of the animal life happily feeding there.... Read more

Empathy with secret addicts

Derbhile Dromey | 18 January 2008

The recent spate of cocaine-related deaths was a spark for fevered media coverage, portraying a country in the grip of a cocaine epidemic. There is no doubt that cocaine abuse is rampant in Ireland. However, it is also a hidden... Read more

An Apgar approach to assessment

Nollaig Rowan | 11 January 2008

On a crisp March day in 1986, while listening to the one o’clock news, a pregnant woman’s waters broke and she made the short journey from Glasnevin to the Rotunda hospital. By four o’clock she had delivered twin boys, nine... Read more

Dublin GP publishes his book of poetry

Ian McGuinness | 30 November 2007

A Dublin-based GP has published his first book of poetry. Dr Lewis Regan, who practises in Lucan, has had his collection, Poems To Goodbye Meadows, published recently. He told Irish Medical Times that he has been writing poetry for over... Read more

How to successfully manage a modern general practice

Barry O'Brien | 30 November 2007

In the first of a series of articles, Barry O’Brien, Course Tutor in the ICGP’s Diploma in Management in Practice ponders accepted business norms within general practice and the role of the practice manager Every business organisation has its ‘norms’–... Read more

ECG: change in a heart beat

Dr Thecla Scully | 02 November 2007

If historical sources are accurate the ECG had its genesis in 1872 in St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, when Alexander Muirhead attached wires to a feverish patient’s wrist in order to obtain a heart rate, recording the activity and visualised it... Read more

Walking the fine white line

Dr Joyce Galbraith | 07 September 2007

In my youth “doing a line” meant having a steady relationship with someone of the opposite sex, but today of course it means someone has some sort of relationship with cocaine. And partying where there is craic agus ceoil today... Read more

A grand old dame who is not going down without a fight

Dr Joyce Galbraith | 20 July 2007

There is an idea that old people’s homes should be in sheltered areas where there is peace and quiet. This is a big mistake because it means that elderly people are tucked away from humanity’s hub which will increase their... Read more

Doctors have mixed fortunes in 2007 vote

Ian McGuinness | 01 June 2007

There is one less doctor in the Dáil Éireann this time, with five to take up their seats in the house compared to six before the election. Fianna Fáil had four doctors in the 29th Dáil but GP, Dr Dermot... Read more

Mental health and social inclusion

25 May 2007

“Work is the best route to recovery from mental ill-health. Currently only one in five people in this category are employed. Without work, they are at greater risk of social exclusion. Most of them want to work.” This is the... Read more

Polish medicine facing big challenges

Dr Thecla Scully | 25 May 2007

Since Poland joined the EU almost four years ago, medical and educational establishments all over the country have faced a period of increased restructuring and personnel shuffling. Like many of the other former Communist countries that joined the EU in... Read more

Prevent loss of doctors from developing countries

Colin Kerr | 25 May 2007

International migration of health personnel is a key challenge for health systems in developing countries,” according to WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan. Dr Chan was speaking following the first meeting of the Health Worker Migration Policy Initiative which was held... Read more