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Opinion: November 2007

Laser treatment is more cost effective than acne medicine

Dr David Buckley, Solas Dermatology and Laser Clinic, The Ashe Street Clinic, Ashe Street, Tralee, Co Kerry | 30 November 2007 | Letters

Dear Editor, While I agree with Dr Dupont’s letter in Irish Medical Times, dated 5/10/2007, that the response of acne to laser is “unquestionable”, I strongly disagree with his comment that laser treatment is not cost effective. In fact, in... Read more

Let science do its job

30 November 2007 | Editorial

Terence Cosgrave says that research on stem cells should continue unless there is a viable alternative It is regrettable that down through the ages science and politics have often been at odds. Though the Scopes ‘Monkey Trial’ took place over... Read more

'Lotto' entry to medical school

Paul J Cannon, Professor Emeritus, Glenageary, Co Dublin | 30 November 2007 | Letters

Dear Editor, As someone who has taken an interest in medical school entry for several years, I was extremely interested to hear the speech made by Dr Ferdinand von Prondzynski, Dublin City University’s President, advocating a drastic overhaul of university... Read more

Centres of excellence need to be done 'right'

Dr Michael Thornton, 3 Doogary, Breaffy Road, Castlebar, Co Mayo | 30 November 2007 | Letters

Dear Editor, The HSE intends to centralise cancer services in eight regional ‘Centres of Excellence’. Many hospitals already have had their breast cancer service discontinued and there are plans to discontinue services in further hospitals. The HSE states that British... Read more

Marching to the beat of a hardened Drumm

Kealan Flynn | 30 November 2007 | Kealan Flynn

In the late 1980s, when Ireland had a straight choice between reining in the public finances on its own initiative, or allowing the International Monetary Fund to do the job for it, one of the quieter line ministers met serious... Read more

Where's the proof the HSE did its homework?

Dr Mick Molloy | 30 November 2007 | Mick Molloy

Summer is often called ‘the silly season’ by journalists because of the dearth of news. Winter, on the other hand, seems to be full of stories and no winter could be fuller than this one, particularly given the healthcare issues... Read more

Dangerous liaisons in government

23 November 2007 | Editorial

Terence Cosgrave says the creation of the Health Service Executive was an extraordinary case of 'blame avoidance' and that both the Government and the HSE need to take responsibility for the services they control There is a great scene in... Read more

€300,000 awarded by the court did not cover loss of earnings

Mr Ibrahim Ahmed, Consultant Surgeon, 10 Kilminchy Close, Portlaoise, Co Laois | 23 November 2007 | Letters

Dear Editor, I refer to the article published by Mr Ed Madden on 26 October in relation to my case in the High Court in July 2007. First, I would like to thank Mr Madden and the Irish Medical Times... Read more

NTPF loophole reports 'completely inaccurate'

Donnchadh O’Neill, Gibney Communications, 22-24 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2 | 23 November 2007 | Letters

Dear Editor, Reports of a ‘loophole’ in the health system in which public patients supposedly receive private treatment through the NTPF after purposely cancelling a public appointment are completely inaccurate and misleading. Patients are not “cashing in on the NTPF... Read more

Are doctors' fingers on the long arm of the law?

Dr Mick Molloy | 16 November 2007 | Mick Molloy

There are many things we medical professionals are asked to do which, at times, seem to be entirely removed from our primary role. One of the things that irritates me at the moment is the frequency with which workplaces, schools... Read more

Looking the part is part and parcel of medicine

Dr Joyce Galbraith | 16 November 2007 | Guests

When I was a medical student, wearing a white coat meant that you were on the way to becoming a ‘real’ doctor (along with a stethoscope stuffed in the pocket of that coat — the more elegant fashion of wearing... Read more

Barnardos and Friends of the Elderly join up for Christmas Fun Run

Dermot Kirwan, Friends of the Elderly, 25 Bolton Street, Dublin 1 | 16 November 2007 | Letters

Dear Editor, The ‘Circle of Life’ 10K Christmas Fun Run will be held in Marley Park, at 10am on Sunday 16 December. Barnardos and Friends of the Elderly have got together to hold the Fun Run and encourage companies to... Read more

Fight it out on the facts

16 November 2007 | Editorial

Terence Cosgrave says the recent Dr James Reilly/Dermot Ahern TV debate ponitedly shows the necessity of being well-informed and factual, because only then can constructive talks happen Watching the debate on The Week in Politics between Minister for Foreign Affairs... Read more

Shock at the decision to discontinue smear tests in Galway labs

Jan O’Sullivan TD, Labour Party Spokesperson on Health | 16 November 2007 | Letters

Dear Editor, The decision by University College Hospital Galway to discontinue the examination of smear tests submitted by doctors in the south east region of the country is a shocking development and one of the worst instances of the impact... Read more

HSE denies the reality of cutbacks

Senator Phil Prendergast, Labour Party Senator for Tipperary South | 16 November 2007 | Letters

Dear Editor, The Health Service Consultative Forum was established under the Health Act 2004 and comprises of Councillors from Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Waterford, Carlow and Kilkenny– thirty-nine in total. At a meeting of the Forum (HSE South) on Thursday, 8... Read more

Accountability is key

09 November 2007 | Editorial

Terence Cosgrave says that Prof Drumm should take two of the finer qualities of the doctor-patient relationship– transparency and accountability– and apply those to the HSE One could almost have sympathy for Prof Brendan Drumm as he defended his position... Read more

Stitched up by the HSE

Dr Martin Fitzgerald, Co Clare | 09 November 2007 | Letters

Dear Editor, I remember attending an IMO meeting in Limerick a number of years ago when the late, great Dr Cormac McNamara– asked for a show of hands from doctors who were still suturing in their practices. The majority of... Read more

Call for Mayo's breast cancer services to remain

Emer O’Byrne, PRO, Irish Practice Nurses Association, 42 Fr Griffin Road, Galway | 09 November 2007 | Letters

A Chara, We, the members of the IPNA, have learnt with dismay of the proposed transfer of symptomatic breast services from Mayo General Hospital to University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) which is to be 90 per cent completed by the... Read more

Obituary of Dr Michael Twomey

John Harding Price | 09 November 2007 | Letters

The sudden death of Dr Michael Twomey (70) at his home in Cumbria on 21 September is a loss to the mental health services, as well as to his family. Michael was born in Kent– fourth in a family of... Read more

4Basra initiative is for a very good cause

John Reynolds, 4Basra Founder, 9 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2 | 09 November 2007 | Letters

Dear Editor, For most Irish doctors and nurses, the daily battle to save lives doesn’t begin until they reach their workplace. In the southern Iraqi city of Basra however– about 600km south of the capital Baghdad– it’s a battle just... Read more

GPs call for action on new contract for primary care

Dr Gary Stack, Dr Mary Favier, Dr Pat Daly, Dr Pat Durcan and Dr Tom English | 09 November 2007 | Guests

It is hardly headline news that we are awaiting a new GP contract, yet there is no sign of leadership from either of our professional organisations in preparing the groundwork. The attitude of the IMO appears to be to wait... Read more

Michael rows the boat ashore despite steering committee

Dr Mick Molloy | 09 November 2007 | Mick Molloy

HSE management seem to be getting a hard time recently; word that Board members had to draw lots to decide who would finish their term in December, and who would carry on for another few years has drawn mirth in... Read more

Accentuate the positive for a change and for change

Dr Mark Hannon | 09 November 2007 | Mark Hannon

I am just back from a week of annual leave, which afforded me the opportunity to catch up on activities outside of medicine– something that is all too easy to forget during the daily rush in hospital practice. However, on... Read more

No services for children with eating disorders

Deirdre Clune TD, Fine Gael, Cork South Central, Leinster House, Dublin 2 | 02 November 2007 | Letters

Dear Editor, The 2006 report, A Vision for Change, estimated that 200,000 people are affected by eating disorders in Ireland with about 4,000 people suffering from anorexia and 15,000 from bulimia. While these eating disorders are more prevalent among females... Read more

A modest proposal

02 November 2007 | Editorial

We have a poor public health service because nobody with any real power in this country depends on it. Terence Cosgrave proposes a simple step that would deliver a world-class health service At the Irish Healthcare Awards this week the... Read more

Compassion, and not judgement, is needed for substance abusers

Edward A Parkes, Sligo | 02 November 2007 | Letters

Dear Editor, Ed Madden’s report on the anaesthetist SHO who took amopoules of Tramadol for his own use from theatres in two different hospitals raises many issues. It is likely that the doctor concerned had a problem that requires professional,... Read more

Mayo GPs upset at loss of cancer service

Bríd O’Malley, Secretary, Mayo Faculty, Irish College of General Practitioners | 02 November 2007 | Letters

Dear Editor, We are deeply disturbed at the intention of HSE West to remove the breast cancer service for the people of Mayo from Mayo General Hospital. This service has been developed under the leadership of Mr Kevin Barry, Consultant... Read more

Laser advertising is unethical

Dr Adam Smith, Consultant Dermatologist, Aut Even Hospital, Kilkenny | 02 November 2007 | Letters

Dear Editor, I would like to support the issues raised by Drs Michelle Murphy, John F Bourke and J Fergus Lyons as to the ineffectiveness of the N-lite laser for acne vulgaris. It is not based on current patho-physiological principles... Read more

Could PPARS happen again? A costly lesson for the HSE

Kealan Flynn | 02 November 2007 | Kealan Flynn

PPARS, it will be recalled, was the high-tech, high-spec replacement for the health boards’ creaking payroll, personnel and scheduling systems; a massive project in which computerisation across the health service was to be linked with radical change in management at... Read more

You sure don't get nothing for nothing

Dr Mick Molloy | 02 November 2007 | Mick Molloy

There is panic in medical circles regarding “cost containment” circulars which are doing the rounds in many hospitals. Not a day goes by without another newly released circular and the resultant state of distress induced among NCHDs. I have had... Read more