Dear Editor, I am an avid reader of Dr Ruairi Hanley’s column and have always admired his ability to speak his mind, even when not politically correct to do so. However, I cannot help feeling that his column of July 16, ‘Recognising one’s right to privacy’ (See www.imt.ie/opinion/2010/07/recognising_ones_right_to_priv.html) was perhaps not of his usual standard.
The public hearing into Dr Patrick Lee
July 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Dear Editor, As a doctor, I am disappointed by the public humiliation of a colleague in the media. There is no disputing that the case of Dr Patrick Lee (Kilumney, Cork) resulted in patient harm, and a complaint to the Medical Council with a formal FTP hearing was entirely appropriate. In addition, I found the [...]
Equal quality treatment for patients with rare diseases
July 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Dear Editor, A successful first All-Ireland Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) and Fabry disease conference was held recently in Templepatrick, Co Antrim and was attended by many families affected by Fabry disease and MPS, as well as specialists from Ireland and the UK working in this area.
Non-medical musings missed
July 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Dear Editor, I thought I’d drop a line to say that I used to enjoy the totally non-medical musings of Berna Cox that intermittently graced your pages. I note that I haven’t seen any offering from her in quite some time. Is she retired or has she been retired due to lack of interest?
Swapping one illegal drug for another legal one
July 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Dear Editor, Further to Dr Cathal Ó Súilliobháin’s recent reply (www.imt.ie/opinion/2010/06/resources_must_target_proven_t.html) to my letter on the topic of detox units, I want to comment on his remarks on methadone prescribing for 10,000 heroin addicts.
A case of ‘four legs good, two legs bad’
July 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Dear Editor, The real truth is being proven once again – patients in Ireland don’t matter, but animals do. The Greens and this Government put an end to deer hunting, as it causes distress to the deer. However, removing acute health services from within reaching distance of humans is okay and acceptable. Forcing sick people [...]
State-sanctioned corruption in Irish medicine
July 1, 2010 By 2 Comments
Dear Editor, I have long been of the opinion that the fundamental basis of the majority of problems that beset the Irish health service is a consequence of political corruption, public ignorance and individual greed. For these and other reasons, I moved to New Zealand five years ago with my family. I had the wonderful [...]
Overhaul of interview marking system imminent
June 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Dear Editor, I refer to a letter from Dr Billy O’Connell published in the June 4 edition of Irish Medical Times, entitled ‘Interview marking system must change’ (see www.imt.ie/opinion/2010/06/interview_marking_system_must.html). I would like to take this opportunity to update you and your readers on the efforts that have been made to date by the HSE to [...]
Is NCHD solution Hanly by another name?
June 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Dear Editor, As a recently retired Health Service Executive medical manpower manager, I am dismayed to see that the much-predicted non-consultant hospital doctor shortage crisis has in fact been allowed to happen, with nothing except improving the visa regulations and a one-year extension on recognition by the Medical Council being done to address this serious [...]
No group has taken a larger cut than GPs
June 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Dear Editor, The IMO has recently requested submissions from its GP members regarding the proposed further cuts in fees and allowances under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2009. GPs have already had an 8 per cent general cut in fees and allowances. Shortly before that there was a general cut [...]