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Opinion: September 2007
The secret of success
Dr Conall MacCuinneagáin, Spiddal, Co Galway | 28 September 2007 | Letters
Dear Editor, I note that the Irish Medical Times is organising a seminar on managing a successful practice. Many years ago Dr John Heskin stated that the three things necessary for a successful practice were, in order of their importance,... Read more
Call to lift the HSE staffing freeze
Jan O’Sullivan, Labour Party health spokesperson, Leinster House, Dublin 2 | 28 September 2007 | Letters
Dear Editor, It is inconceivable to think that as winter approaches and the anticipated increased volumes of people present themselves to their local A&E departments for medical assistance they will be confronted with longer waiting times and bed shortages due... Read more
Health service in crisis– minister take heed
Dr James Reilly, FG Health Spokesperson, Leinster House, Dublin 2 | 28 September 2007 | Letters
Dear Editor, In little more than 100 days since the Fianna Fáil-PD-Green government took power the health service has been beset on all sides by cutbacks, the exposure of empty pre-election promises and outright lies. For cancer patients and their... Read more
Work almost complete on plans concerning children's referendum
Brendan Smith, Minister for Children, Leinster House, Dublin 2 | 28 September 2007 | Letters
Dear Editor, I was amazed at Fine Gael spokesperson Alan Shatter’s badly informed assertion that there has been “too much talk and too little action” regarding the referendum on children. As I have stated publicly on a number of occasions... Read more
Investment now, for rewards later
Dr Mark Hannon | 28 September 2007 | Mark Hannon
I am currently preparing for the clinical part of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, or USMLE for short. For many Irish doctors, the seemingly insurmountable hurdle of the American examinations has proved to be a significant barrier to career... Read more
Definitely not spoiled for choice nor by remuneration
Dr Mick Molloy | 28 September 2007 | Mick Molloy
Watching the consultant contract talks from a distance of relative insecurity, I am conscious that the Department of Health feels that junior doctors will apply for any consultant post that come up regardless of the conditions offered. Among the burning... Read more
Laudable objectives
28 September 2007 | Editorial
News Editor Glenn Taylor finds commendable Dr James Reilly’s desire to help improve the health service and wishes him luck in the ‘bull-pit’ that is Dáil Éireann The bull-pit of Dáil Éireann is not for the faint hearted. Many a... Read more
Mental health tribunals
21 September 2007 | Editorial
Irish Medical Times Senior Reporter Ian McGuinness looks at the operation of the mental health tribunals and answers some of the questions that have been raised on the issue Irish Medical Times recently revealed (31 August) that between the start... Read more
Botox and migraine
Dr Patrick Treacy, Medical Director, Ailesbury Clinics Ltd, Dublin 4 | 21 September 2007 | Letters
Dear Editor, Although world opinion is presently split on the efficacy of Botox treatment and Migraine there is no variance of advice between myself and Dr Eddie O’Sullivan regarding the recommendation for its use. Our retrospective study showed 13 patients... Read more
Defibrillators are welcomed
Dr James Reilly, Leinster House, Dublin 2 | 21 September 2007 | Letters
Dear Editor, Aer Lingus’ announcement to introduce defibrillators on short trips is very welcome. I now call on all other airlines to follow this example and introduce defibrillators on their short haul aircraft. These machines are relatively inexpensive, costing up... Read more
HSE recruitment freeze attack on patients' interests
Ciaran Lynch, Labour TD, Cork South Central, Cork | 21 September 2007 | Letters
Dear Editor, The HSE decision to suspend recruitment indefinitely is now hitting hard in hospitals and healthcare facilities around the country, and anger from patients and staff members and workers, is more than justified. We see where doctors in the... Read more
Patients’ status is changed– they are not all released
Dr Consilia Walsh, Consultant Psychiatrist and Chairperson, Irish College of Psychiatrists, 123 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 | 21 September 2007 | Letters
Dear Editor, I am surprised at the sensational and misleading tone and content of a front-page article published in the Irish Medical Times of 31 August 2007. The heading, ‘Over 1,000 involuntary psychiatric patients released’, is surprisingly sensational and inaccurate.... Read more
Tests done by humans will always be fallible
Dr Mick Molloy | 21 September 2007 | Mick Molloy
The quality and standards of hospitals has been centre stage in the last 10 days. The issue of inspections is an interesting one, and one that raises questions. What role will the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) have in... Read more
The more things change, the more they stay the same
Kealan Flynn | 21 September 2007 | Kealan Flynn
The Italian philosopher, Nicolo Machiavelli once remarked that “there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to indicate a new order to things, for the reformer has enemies in... Read more
Hire ban a direct attack on patients
Ms Liz McManus, Labour Party health spokesperson, Leinster House, Dublin 2 | 14 September 2007 | Letters
Dear Editor, The decision of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to place a total ban on the recruitment or replacement of staff is a direct attack on the interests of patients and will inevitably lead to a deterioration of standards... Read more
Debate continues on the efficacy of pulsed dye laser
Dr Patrick Treacy, Medical Director, Ailesbury Clinics Ltd, Dublin 4 | 14 September 2007 | Letters
Dear Editor, It is with some interest that I read the ongoing discussion between very experienced British and Irish dermatologists regarding the efficacy of pulsed dye laser treatment of active acne. I would like to add some objective comment as... Read more
Aptitude tests for students may have dubious results
Dr Mick Molloy | 14 September 2007 | Mick Molloy
Medical matters to the fore again; I have received many calls in the last few days regarding the announcement of an aptitude test for medicine. I must admit that I have not yet seen all the details but from what... Read more
The rush for the great indoors
Dr Mark Hannon | 14 September 2007 | Mark Hannon
Once again the summer seems to be drawing to a damp and dismal end, leaving us with only a few fond memories of our pleasant April– and a few clement days here and there during our ‘summer’– to look back... Read more
Confidence in the medical system is badly undermined
Mr Brian Hayes, Fine Gael health spokesperson, Leinster House, Dublin 2 | 14 September 2007 | Letters
Dear Editor, At this point in Ireland sandwich bars, butcher shops and restaurants undergo a higher level of independent inspection than a hospital or clinic. Confidence in the Irish medical system is being seriously undermined by the continuing exposure of... Read more
The health service soon to be awash with consultants
Dr Mick Molloy | 07 September 2007 | Mick Molloy
Sixty new hospital consultants. Yippee! Another pile to add to the 68 hospital consultant jobs that were ‘announced’ earlier this year, as well as the 40 or so category 2 jobs on hold for some time. That’s a significant number... Read more
A return to the slog: stethescopes and practice re-accrediation
Dr Illona Duffy | 07 September 2007 | Guests
After a full month totally away from the practice, I had planned to write a nice piece talking about how important it is to have a complete break from work when on holidays. To date I have found it hard... Read more