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Opinion: July 2008

Language hides the realities of death

Dr Paul Heslin | 31 July 2008 | Guests

Dr Paul Heslin writes on 'end of life' or death issues. He is a a medical doctor, a personal and business coach, and a family therapist. Putting the dog down is a common euphemism. Is it kindness or murder? We... Read more

GP cervical screening service finally begins

30 July 2008 | Guests

Ian McGuinness writes that the country's cervical screening programme can finally start, now that the IMO has agreed a contract with the NCSS. After a dispute lasting for most of this year, and following months of talks, GPs are due... Read more

Getting out the hair shirt in Quangoland

Kealan Flynn | 30 July 2008 | Kealan Flynn

Kealan Flynn writes that as the era of cutbacks and efficiencies loom, the public sector needs to match the private sector in terms of productivity. However bad things might be looking on the economic front, at least we’re not back... Read more

The doctor will see you... sometime

Dr John Ryan | 29 July 2008 | Letter from America

Dr John Ryan writes that attending another doctor, as a regular patient, is an eye-opening and unnerving experience as he finds that he has to wait his turn to be seen — just like everybody else. I went to the... Read more

Health checks can make sense for some

Joyce Galbraith | 28 July 2008 | Guests

Joyce Galbraith writes that the TRILL project — which aims to give elderly people their independence for as long as possible — is a worthy one. People are very divided in their attitude to having regular or annual check-ups. There... Read more

Section of Mental Health Act was unconstitutional

Ed Madden | 27 July 2008 | Guests

Ed Madden, BL, looks at a recent decision of the Irish Supreme Court in which the Court declared a section of the Mental Health Act, 1945 to be unconstitutional. Louis Blehein was involuntarily admitted to St. John of God Hospital... Read more

Should I join Facebook

24 July 2008 | The Inside Back

Should I join Facebook? I Googled an old acquaintance the other day, a very good-looking old acquaintance. It had been five years since we last talked, and something in the news made me think of her, ie., a perfect opportunity... Read more

Capacity to consent to treatment

Aisling Gannon | 24 July 2008 | Guests

Aisling Gannon, Partner and Head of Healthcare with Beauchamps Solicitors, writes that issues of consent can be complex — as was the case recently when a patient refused a blood transfusion. The essential basis of the consent process is that... Read more

Adventures in Blunderland

Terence Cosgrave | 24 July 2008 | Editorial

Terence Cosgrave tries to make sense of the topsy-turvy world of health insurance in Ireland and writes that the Government will now have to devise a system which not only is fair, but which also encourages real competition. If, like... Read more

Getting ready for a rough ride

Dr Garrett FitzGerald | 23 July 2008 | Garrett FitzGerald

Dr Garrett FitzGerald writes that whatever about A and B, it's now time for Plan C, Plan D or maybe even Plan E for A&E access. The last time the country was banjaxed, the Government of the day had little... Read more

Sun-smart lessons 'Down Under'

Dr Ernan Hession | 22 July 2008 | Guests

With the summer now (hopefully) in full swing, Australian medic Dr Ernan Hession writes that it's a good time to follow Australia's lead in preventing serious skin damage One negative consequence of living in this ‘Great Brown Land’, with its... Read more

Court's decision will finally shake up the insurance market

Mick Molloy | 22 July 2008 | Mick Molloy

Dr Mick Molloy writes that the recent Supreme Court decision on risk equalisation will fundamentally change the Irish health insurance system. Risk equalisation with respect to community rating of health insurance policies has been, well, equalised — or so says... Read more

Disability consultant fails to establish discrimination

Ed Madden | 20 July 2008 | Guests

Ed Madden, BL, looks at a recent Equality Tribunal case in which a disability consultant alleged that the HSE had discriminated against him by not re-scheduling a dental appointment, Dermot Walsh, who works as a self-employed disability consultant/trainer, is one... Read more

Sure steps to managing conflict

Rory Hafford | 19 July 2008 | Guests

In this week’s feature on medicine and communication, Rory Hafford looks at the most effective ways of avoiding conflict in the workplace. This country has changed. The way we do business is now a lot more rigid and restricted. In... Read more

The PSA is not a quango too far

Terence Cosgrave | 18 July 2008 | Editorial

Terence Cosgrave says that despite the current mood of cutbacks — and particularly the reduction in the number of quangos — the proposed Patient Safety Agency is a quango that must survive the cuts. Two years ago, the two major... Read more

Chicago is my kind of town.. and home to Barack Obama

Dr John Ryan | 17 July 2008 | Letter from America

Dr John Ryan goes to Chicago and finds it suits him. He will be spending four more years in the US studying cardiology and writing about it for Irish Medical Times I arrived into Chicago in early April. It was... Read more

My minor opinion on drinking as a minor

Fionn Fitzpatrick | 16 July 2008 | Guests

Fionn Fitzpatrick — a 16-year-old reader of Irish Medical Times — recently sent us this contribution to the paper on alcohol from a teen's perspective. I felt compelled to write this article after it struck me how much minors are... Read more

Govt did nothing to prepare us for invasion

G.B. | 16 July 2008 | The Inside Back

The ancient Egyptians used to have a skeleton present in the midst of feasts and celebrations, Montaigne reminds us, while a man called out, ‘Drink and be merry, for when you are dead, you will be like this.’ To remove... Read more

ICE emergency system saves time and anguish in the UK

Mick Molloy | 15 July 2008 | Mick Molloy

It’s a wet, cold night on a lonely, country road. A car has turned over and the passengers are gravely injured. A passer-by has called the emergency services and is attempting to assist while he waits. It’s a common scenario,... Read more

The secret is out – the gold rush is on

Dr Garrett FitzGerald | 09 July 2008 | Garrett FitzGerald

Dr Garrett FitzGerald writes that it's like Klondike in Clontibret now that a lucky strike has found gold in them there drumlins, but he also wonders how the situation will 'pan out'. So, everybody knows now. The Clontibret Gold Rush... Read more

Front-line staff are also in the firing line

Dr Paul Heslin | 09 July 2008 | Guests

Dr Paul Heslin writes that front-line workers should not be judged by those in safe, comfortable jobs who do not have to make split-second decisions. As I listened to RTE Radio 1 on the way to work, I heard that... Read more

The call of general practice beckons

Dr Robert Marsh | 09 July 2008 | Guests

Dr Robert Marsh looks back on his time spent working in hospital posts, as he nears the end of his GP training and prepares to start work in the community. It’s that time of the year again when our health... Read more

If you won the lotto, you’d want to get your money ASAFP

08 July 2008 | The Inside Back

The Bennekerry 16, winners of the €19 million jackpot, decided to ‘take their time’ collecting their winnings, according to reports last week. This was an act of such disregard for all the working stiffs in Ireland – people who would... Read more

Are you dying for a cigarette?

08 July 2008 | Editorial

Terence Cosgrave on how 'Big Tobacco' has taken to targeting the most vulnerable people in today's society — namely the poor, the young and the uneducated — in order to make a profit and to groom its future market. Just... Read more

Preparing for disasters is a challenge for Ireland

Dr Mick Molloy | 08 July 2008 | Mick Molloy

Dr Mick Molloy writes that the recently-issued booklet about dealing with emergencies does have some useful tips on preparing for major disasters. The booklet dropped into every house in the country recently was called Preparing for Major Emergencies and it... Read more

Ten things you can afford to do during a recession

04 July 2008 | The Inside Back

Are you worried that tightening the belt over the next year or two (optimistically) will mean a life of boredom and a lack of cultural, intellectual, or physical adventures? The Inside Back has come up with 10 things you can... Read more

Change is as good as a rest

Dr John Ryan | 03 July 2008 | Letter from America

Dr John Ryan writes that the mood of political change that is currently sweeping across the United States is being mirrored in his own professional life, as he takes up the post of Chief Resident. Barack Obama sealed the Democratic... Read more

Data protection issues store up trouble for the future

Kealan Flynn | 02 July 2008 | Kealan Flynn

Kealan Flynn says that the risks we encounter when entrusting sensitive data, such as medical records, to external agencies and to the State is the price we pay for convenience. Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States and signatory... Read more

Army doctors may have a role to play outside military

Mick Molloy | 01 July 2008 | Mick Molloy

Dr Mick Molloy says that the Irish Army must offer better career prospects and attractive salary levels in order to recruit new doctors to its ranks. The Government, it seems, wants to attract more doctors to the Irish Army, and... Read more