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Opinion: Mick Molloy
All entries for Mick Molloy
The media might leave, but problems in Haiti remain
Dr Mick Molloy | 09 March 2010
Reporting from Haiti, Dr Mick Molloy says that the regeneration project could take ten years or more, but it will create an opportunity to develop Port au Prince into a truly modern capital city... Read more
Are we prepared for unpredictability?
Dr Mick Molloy | 04 March 2010
Dr Mick Molloy, currently helping the relief efforts in Haiti, wonders how Ireland would cope in the event of a similar natural disaster... Read more
Unsung heroes bring relief to disaster zone
Dr Mick Molloy | 26 February 2010
Dr Mick Molloy highlights the work being done by volunteers in Haiti on his return from an aid mission in the devastated country... Read more
Snow fun when bad weather and bad planning collide
Dr Mick Molloy | 21 January 2010
Dr Mick Molloy writes that our lack of preparedness for adverse conditions has placed severe strain on hospitals, as fracture presentations surge... Read more
Silver scissors to golden years
Dr Mick Molloy | 07 January 2010
While public sector pay cuts have stolen the limelight from Budget 2010, Dr Mick Molloy believes changes in pension rights might prove a more lasting headache... Read more
It's time for leadership to put up or shut up, not pander
Dr Mick Molloy | 10 December 2009
Dr Mick Molloy argues that strikes won't get us out of our mess, and that leadership may have to institute cutbacks reminiscent of those in the '80s... Read more
Terminate someone else on 'Budgement Day'
Dr Mick Molloy | 26 November 2009
Dr Mick Molloy says that Ireland is facing a crisis in its finances and everyone (without exception) must be prepared to suffer some cutbacks in their income and lifestyle... Read more
More clarity needed around Fair Deal
Dr Mick Molloy | 12 November 2009
Dr Mick Molloy argues that nowhere in the Fair Deal fine print is there mention of what happens to non-residential assets after three years, and this is a justifiable cause for concern... Read more
H1N1: for now, a health benefit to being over 65
Dr Mick Molloy | 05 November 2009
Dr Mick Molloy expands on a number of his regular themes: nursing home care, the Government's preferred health system, reconfiguration, alcohol and the influenza pandemic... Read more
State to overthrow Boolean logic with cart and horse
Dr Mick Molloy | 29 October 2009
Dr Mick Molloy argues that a reduction in bed capacity should not come before an improved health service is in place. It's simple logic and a matter of putting the 'IF' before the 'THEN'... Read more
US model has lessons for Irish healthcare
Dr Mick Molloy | 15 October 2009
Dr Mick Molloy writes from the US that their debate on universal healthcare has implications and lessons for the Irish system and we must avoid their mistakes at all costs... Read more
Managing EDs in a time of influenza
Dr Mick Molloy | 08 October 2009
Dr Mick Molloy reports that with Ireland having a high consultation rates for Influenza Like Illness, hospital forward planning is essential to ensure the system isn't overwhelmed... Read more
Ireland can learn from others
Dr Mick Molloy | 01 October 2009
Are emergency departments really that expensive when you consider the service they provide? Dr Mick Molloy reports from the US on some of the myths surrounding EDs and how emergency doctors there feel about healthcare reform... Read more
Profit wins over savings
Dr Mick Molloy | 17 September 2009
Some worthy initiatives will probably never be brought to fruition because, although the ideas might save money, nobody would actually make a profit, writes Dr Mick Molloy... Read more
Questions remain about swine flu despite the media hype
10 September 2009
Dr Mick Molloy reports from Boston on some of the preparations that are being made there to control the potential damage caused by workers being out sick with swine flu... Read more
Medical school controversy
Mick Molloy | 27 August 2009
Dr Mick Molloy ponders the new HPAT test for school leavers wishing to study medicine and wonders if it is possible to devise an entry system to medical school that would be completely fair... Read more
No fees is not the only factor
Dr Mick Molloy | 20 August 2009
Dr Mick Molloy considers the issues of free fees and access to third-level education and wonders whether the introduction of HPAT is of any benefit to students... Read more
Why healthcare staff need to get swine flu vaccine now
Mick Molloy | 13 August 2009
Dr Mick Molloy writes that the coming H1N1 flu pandemic will have severe implications and tough challenges for doctors, not least trying to diagnose illnesses over the phone... Read more
Who will rescue us now?
Mick Molloy | 30 July 2009
Dr Mick Molloy wonders about the future of the unemployed, now that emigration is a less viable option and there seems to be no new industries ready to invest in Ireland... Read more
Making a mess of managing manpower
Dr Mick Molloy | 10 July 2009
Dr Mick Molloy writes that stepwise change will not work when it comes to altering NCHD numbers and that the reduction in NCHD working hours should have been gradual. For those of you who have empty bookshelves, a table with... Read more
Ladybird Book guide required on new registration system
Mick Molloy | 03 July 2009
Dr Mick Molloy believes there are too many unanswered questions remaining over how the new trainee specialist register will impact on hospital services after the NCHD changeover. In the past week, I have received a number of emails, phone calls... Read more
New procedures mean NCHD problems
Dr Mick Molloy | 26 June 2009
Dr Mick Molloy writes that the new arrangements with regard to the registration procedure for NCHDs with the Medical Council may throw up a lot of problems It is that time of year again. The great migration is again upon... Read more
Apple is part of a doc's day
Dr Mick Molloy | 19 June 2009
Dr Mick Molloy on the uses of technology in hospital settings and the potential for improved patient care through the adoption of modern software...plus, a reason to get an iPhone! It is that time of year again, a time when... Read more
What can be done to redress institutional abuse of children?
Dr Mick Molloy | 12 June 2009
Dr Mick Molloy is — like the rest of the country — appalled by the scale of Ireland's history of child abuse within the industrial schools. But what can be done now to help the victims? The release of the... Read more
Electing for health reform
Dr Mick Molloy | 08 June 2009
Dr Mick Molloy speculates on reform of the healthcare system and suggests that whatever reform programme is embarked upon, it will take more than one term of office. The local elections take place today and we have heard all manner... Read more
Questions remain on Consultant contract
Dr Mick Molloy | 14 May 2009
Dr Mick Molloy writes that there are still issues to be resolved on the Consultant contract — even after the many years of negotiation. A number of issues appear to be raising their heads with respect to the Consultant contracts... Read more
False economy of cuts
Dr Mick Molloy | 21 April 2009
Dr Mick Molloy wonders just where the savings are to be made by cutting back on elective surgery and if we are still in the business of healing the sick, at all. Nobody knows what effect the current budgetary scenario... Read more
After this Budget, the levy has run dry
Mick Mollow | 15 April 2009
Dr Mick Molloy writes that the Budget's levy increases are a return to the taxation policies of old, with citizens financially crippled by high rates...... Read more
Get with the gadgets
Dr Mick Molloy | 07 April 2009
Dr Mick Molloy takes a look back at some of the must-have gadgets that have been developed in his lifetime and wonders where manufacturers can go from here. Every now and again, a gadget comes along with a real ‘wow... Read more
A benchmark or black mark for Irish hospitals?
Dr Mick Molloy | 03 April 2009
Dr Mick Molloy writes that a lot of variables come into play when looking at the new HealthStat data. Last week, the HSE launched HealthStat – apparently a comprehensive accumulation of performance-related data from 29 teaching, regional and general hospitals.... Read more
Can we afford not to train NCHDs?
Mick Molloy | 27 March 2009
Dr Mick Molloy examines the latest proposal by the HSE not to pay the training allowance for NCHDs and why this could prove costly. There has been a lot of talk about training allowances in the health services in this... Read more
We all need a gee-up when it comes to taxes
Dr Mick Molloy | 13 March 2009
Dr Mick Molloy does not envy the Minister for Finance in his task of raising funds, when even the die-hard Irish punters who usually attend the Cheltenham Festival are saving their pennies. This week’s Cheltenham Festival will see – or... Read more
Cheer up, it's not the end of the world ... just yet
Dr Mick Molloy | 03 March 2009
Dr Mick Molloy writes that another seminal year could be coming up — or it may even be the end of the world, depending on your sources. Every now and then, a ‘seminal year’ occurs, when important or even world-changing... Read more
Cheer up, it's not the end of the world ... just yet
Dr Mick Molloy | 27 February 2009
Dr Mick Molloy writes that another seminal year could be coming up — or it may even be the end of the world, depending on your sources. Every now and then, a ‘seminal year’ occurs, when important or even world-changing... Read more
New banking revelations highlight need for reform
Dr Mick Molloy | 19 February 2009
Dr Mick Molloy writes that our broken economy obviously needs fixing ... but, in the aftermath of all the recent financial scandals, where can we go from here? As financial revelations pile up, one might wonder what any of the... Read more
Pensions levy: do what I say, not what I do
Dr Mick Molloy | 11 February 2009
Dr Mick Molloy writes that the pension levy is inequitable and unfair — with one example being that it will not apply to the Ministerial pensions of TDs. A new President in the White House. Finally, a new dawn for... Read more
Why should our doctors answer Ireland's call?
Dr Mick Molloy | 09 February 2009
Dr Mick Molloy writes that Ireland has a long history of sending its medical graduates abroad, and doesn't blame doctors in the current climate for not wanting to return Medical migration has been on the agenda for longer than any... Read more
Mid-west changes can't occur without resources
Dr Mick Molloy | 25 January 2009
Dr Mick Molloy says there is no point in dealing with averages — the HSE must consider the worst-case scenario when it comes to acute admissions. Another week, another report. Those who thought the New Year was going to start... Read more
Service Plan cuts will make 2009 a lean year
Mick Molloy | 08 January 2009
Dr Mick Molloy writes that the HSE's new National Service Plan means that 2009 is shaping up to be a pretty bleak year for our health service. The HSE National Service Plan for 2009 has already received a lot of... Read more
The credit crunch can't ruin Christmas
Dr Mick Molloy | 12 December 2008
Dr Mick Molloy hopes that despite all the bad-news headlines in the newspapers, children will still get to enjoy the magic of Santa Claus this year. Christmas is fast approaching and all the signs are telling us how many shopping... Read more
U-turns lead down a road to nowhere
Dr Mick Molloy | 03 December 2008
Getting back after a period away usually means catching up on family matters, clearing a mountain of post, razing through a few hundred emails or more (depending on the time period away) – oh, and reading a stack of Irish... Read more
Giving your team a sporting chance
Dr Mick Molloy | 10 November 2008
Dr Mick Molloy writes that when accompanying a sports team as a medical officer, everything must be organised — from pills to passports. Some people love travelling, and I used to be one of those people. I think I may... Read more
Can anything kick-start consultant expansion?
Mick Molloy | 12 October 2008
The financial turmoil that has all our politicians ‘working as if they were junior doctors again’, to paraphrase one Senator, is likely to have far-reaching consequences with respect to the health sector in our economy. As the Senator explained, he... Read more
Admitting patients helps morbidity and mortality
30 September 2008
Dr Mick Molloy writes that a system for admitting patients and spreading them across the hospital is a possible solution to ED overcrowding. Much has been written about overcrowding in Irish hospitals. There have been disputes about the figures, the... Read more
Thornton Hall move should be based on medical rationale
Dr Mick Molloy | 23 September 2008
Dr Mick Molloy writes that the Central Mental Hospital's move to a new location should be based on providing the best possible service — not to make the management of the prison easier. The debate about The Central Mental Hospital... Read more
Today's low-fares airline charges are anything but fair
Dr Mick Moloy | 17 September 2008
Dr Mick Molloy writes that the hidden costs of air travel in recent times are out to catch the passenger at every opportunity — resulting in 'low fares' that are, in fact, sky high. You have seen the advertising blurb... Read more
Who is the employer of research registrars?
Mick Molloy | 10 September 2008
Dr Mick Molloy wonders if after all these years there is a policy to delay decisions on NCHD issues since so many issues are still unresolved. Eight years on from the 2000 revision of the NCHD contract many of the... Read more
Molloy and Minister Phelps take a break in Portugal
Dr Mick Molloy | 08 September 2008
Dr Mick Molloy enjoyed a recent break with his family in Portugal — and also got to meet one of the world's great athletes... and the Minister for the Economy of Portugal! Summer is close to an end although it... Read more
Who should pay for third-level education?
Mick Molloy | 28 August 2008
Dr Mick Molloy says that in today's economic climate, it makes sense that the beneficiaries of third-level education should pay for it August 2008 was the wettest on record since records began, apparently, and many students who finished their Leaving... Read more
Silence is golden when you turn off the phone
Dr Mick Molloy | 15 August 2008
Dr Mick Molloy writes of the freedom that can be gained by turning off the mobile phone — and finds that he is not as indispensable as he thought he was. Dear Reader, You may be pleased to know that... Read more
Medical sports coverage is not all fun and games
Dr Mick Molloy | 07 August 2008
Dr Mick Molloy writes that doctors should carefully consider whether or not they should provide medical services at sporting events. The phone calls will start coming in again soon to doctors throughout the country. Can you be our team doc?... Read more
Journalists work overtime on issue of doctors overtime
Mick Molloy | 04 August 2008
Dr Mick Molloy writes that he will have his phone switched off this Bank Holiday weekend and will be ignoring the media's inevitable coverage of doctors' salaries during the 'silly season'. Around this time of slow news every year, one... Read more
Court's decision will finally shake up the insurance market
Mick Molloy | 22 July 2008
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
ICE emergency system saves time and anguish in the UK
Mick Molloy | 15 July 2008
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
Preparing for disasters is a challenge for Ireland
Dr Mick Molloy | 08 July 2008
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
Army doctors may have a role to play outside military
Mick Molloy | 01 July 2008
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
More thoughts on SHO and Registrar training
25 June 2008
Dr Mick Molloy says the recently published audit on SHO and Registrar posts throws up some very interesting questions for doctors and the HSE. Last week I wrote about the recently published Audit of SHO and Registrar Posts — May... Read more
NCHDs' training must be quality assured
Dr Mick Molloy | 17 June 2008
Dr Mick Molloy welcomes the RCPI's audit of SHO and registrar posts but finds that it throws up challenges regarding the provision of medical training. The Royal College of Physicians has recently published the most detailed audit of SHO and... Read more
Application changes are sure to cause confusion
Dr Mick Molloy | 10 June 2008
A document has just been launched and sent to all schools in Ireland and to their guidance counsellors in relation to the new selection criteria with respect to undergraduate entry to medicine for EU applicants from 2009 onwards. This follows... Read more
IT skills being squandered due to HSE's lack of investment
Dr Mick Molloy | 04 June 2008
Dr Mick Molloy takes a look at the issue of electronic health records and says that Ireland must invest in IT to meet international standards of healthcare. There is an interesting US debate going on right now about the value... Read more
Future consultants' vote can clinch contract
Mick Molloy | 27 May 2008
Dr Mick Molloy on the importance of the result of the IMO specialist registrars' vote on the consultants contract. It’s almost finished – after four years in the making, soon we will find out if consultants will vote to accept... Read more
Will changes in cabinet lead to any real change?
Mick Molloy | 13 May 2008
Dr Mick Molloy on the challenges facing the new goverment as it faces into an era of less money and even higher expectations from the public on health... Read more
Home hospitals work - for now
Dr Mick Molloy | 09 May 2008
Dr Mick Molloy hopes that the 'Hospital in the home' service - which actually works - won't be dismantled or hampered by HSE management Services to patients in the community should be protected, no matter what is happening to budgets... Read more
Tell us the truth about health service plans
Dr Mick Molloy | 29 April 2008
Dr Mick Molloy writes that as the coffers are emptying and public dissatisfaction grows over healthcare services, the country needs firm direction from Government now more than ever,... Read more
Doctor gets caught at the sharp end of travel
Mick Molloy | 23 April 2008
Dr Mick Molloy on how some irrational and contradictory policies applied during airport security checks have taken much of the joy out of travelling. Travelling used to be such fun. Trips in the car, trips by train and, in latter... Read more
Reducing budgets by removing the staff
Mick Molloy | 15 April 2008
Dr Mick Molloy on Mercy Hospital's new emergency department, which is still waiting to be utilised, and the farcical situation of having a state-of-the-art facility with no staff and no patients. This week brought the not unforeseen revelation that there... Read more
Juggling the numbers to meet tough budgets
Mick Molloy | 09 April 2008
Dr Mick Molloy wonders about the fuzzy logic behind HSE budgets and cutbacks and finds similar contradictions in politicians' health policies. At this time of the year, contacts with the HSE increase, for good reasons in some cases but for... Read more
HSE funding needed for time-saving treatments
Mick Molloy | 03 April 2008
Dr Mick Molloy on a new procedure for deep venous thrombosis, which could save the health service both time and money if funding was allocated to provide patients with the treatment. We have known about some medical conditions for so... Read more
Councils show no confidence in HSE
Mick Molloy | 26 March 2008
The HSE appears to be coming in for a lot of criticism from local authorities, with numerous motions of no confidence being passed in recent weeks and yet more calls for its disbandment. Another council, Wexford County Council, has followed... Read more
Harrowing experience for overseas doctors
Mick Molloy | 19 March 2008
Dr Mick Molloy writes about the administrative and registration nightmares faced by many overseas doctors after they arrive in Ireland to start work on short-term contracts. Moving to Ireland can be a harrowing experience for some medics, particularly so for... Read more
Delicate issues behind organ donation rates
Mick Molloy | 11 March 2008
Dr Mick Molloy writes on the many ethical considerations behind organ donation and takes a look at the different systems for providing consent. The concept of organ donation is not one we think about much except possibly when issued with... Read more
HSE's false economy means patients suffer
Dr Mick Molloy | 05 March 2008
Dr Mick Molloy queries the false economy of not replacing staff when going on long-term leave, which often results in growing backlog and the delaying of elective procedures The current financial constraints applying in the health services make it difficult... Read more
Huge need for timely career guidance
26 February 2008
Dr Mick Molloy says that as recruitment for training-scheme positions get under way, there is a cause for concern across the health service This is normally the time of year when applications for training-scheme positions are advertised and interviews take... Read more
It's hard for others when the prodigal gets rewarded
Mick Molloy | 19 February 2008
Dr Mick Molloy on how harder economic times are starting to hit home and, in the process, changing the way in which some of us view our considerable immigrant population A medical colleague wrote in Irish Medical Times recently about... Read more
Time to help out colleagues in need
Dr Mick Molloy | 14 February 2008
Dr Mick Molloy encourages 'those who do not need' to contribute to the relief of those who do at the annual Medical Benevolent Fund in March It’s the time of medical year when we need to consider the less fortunate... Read more
Juggling the numbers on ED waiting lists
07 February 2008
Dr Mick Molloy ponders exactly when the clock starts ticking regarding 'waiting times' in emergency departments and whether community care could help solve the problem When is a waiting time really a waiting time? It sounds like an obvious question,... Read more
HSE Chief must revise plans on bed capacity
Dr Mick Molloy | 01 February 2008
We have enough beds. We really have enough beds. We have enough acute hospital beds in the Irish health service. We do not need more beds in the Irish health service. Beds are not the solution to our problems- a... Read more
Pensions: when is it time to rest on those laurels?
Dr Mick Molloy | 25 January 2008
At this delicate time of the year, when people are balancing accounts in the post-Christmas period, it was at best unfortunate and at worst poorly timed to release the results of the second benchmarking body report. Hundreds of thousands were... Read more
Thank you for your application
Dr Mick Molloy | 18 January 2008
The debacle that was modernising medical careers in the UK, and the application process, runs on. Prepare for a flood of applicants for SHO posts here from disillusioned personnel in the UK who were unable to secure a training post... Read more
Overview of our bed capacity doesn't notice actual patient
Dr Mick Molloy | 11 January 2008
It’s 2008, a new year, a new day, a new way. A motto, a statement of purpose and, possibly, even a mission statement, but for who or what? The HSE has its own mission statement, but it's not easy to... Read more
Why motoring families will feel the squeeze
Dr Mick Molloy | 04 January 2008
It takes a while for the budgetary changes to hit home and for some they will be pleasant changes. However, one could be forgiven for thinking that this is an anti-family Budget. That’s a bit strange, considering the emphasis this... Read more
Budget doesn't deliver on health service needs
Dr Mick Molloy | 14 December 2007
The Budget has come, and gone away again as quickly, for many. We had been promised for a number of years that medical card eligibility thresholds would be raised significantly. Those on the margins of society could really do with... Read more
Travel in the patient's shoes
Dr Mick Molloy | 07 December 2007
What a week this was. Everyone knows about Portlaoise- word has gotten around about the relevant issues in Cork, and a small cohort know what is happening in Galway. The Minister for Health has just survived a motion of no... Read more
Where's the proof the HSE did its homework?
Dr Mick Molloy | 30 November 2007
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
Are doctors' fingers on the long arm of the law?
Dr Mick Molloy | 16 November 2007
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
Michael rows the boat ashore despite steering committee
Dr Mick Molloy | 09 November 2007
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
You sure don't get nothing for nothing
Dr Mick Molloy | 02 November 2007
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
Molloy shoots from the hip on breathalysers and the Gardaí
Dr Mick Molloy | 26 October 2007
Having young children means sleeplessness, both for you and them. When children are constantly upset and restless at night you may find yourself tearing out your hair after several attempts at getting them to sleep. My approach at pacifying my... Read more
Questions, answers and assumptions
Dr Mick Molloy | 19 October 2007
Strong words came from the Taoiseach this weekend where he challenged consultants who are criticising the current health service to go and actually work in it. I am not quite sure what he is suggesting here, especially as his own... Read more
Health managers need to be finance-smart
Dr Mick Molloy | 12 October 2007
The latest freeze on recruitment is clearly having an effect on patient care. But the number of patients who are not receiving timely treatment compared to those that are, is few. At least this is what the Department of Health... Read more
Can a no-win situation ever be ameliorated?
Dr Mick Molloy | 05 October 2007
When any service changes direction cutbacks will be announced. But what do they mean for the health service? This is a pertinent question given the column inches allocated to overspends in the health service and how belts will have to... Read more
Definitely not spoiled for choice nor by remuneration
Dr Mick Molloy | 28 September 2007
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
Tests done by humans will always be fallible
Dr Mick Molloy | 21 September 2007
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
Aptitude tests for students may have dubious results
Dr Mick Molloy | 14 September 2007
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 health service soon to be awash with consultants
Dr Mick Molloy | 07 September 2007
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
Not up to standard but not maintained either
Dr Mick Molloy | 17 August 2007
Hospital residences are the focus of many a rant. The rant often has, as its focus, the standard of decor; the furniture; the availability or not of a TV for those long weekends on-call; the availability of food or somewhere... Read more
The lost art of a simple way of communicating
Dr Mick Molloy | 10 August 2007
Depending on the number of people in the catchment area of any emergency department, atypical presentations for drug reactions may not be a frequent occurrence. Doctors in emergency departments are more used to seeing these presentations than a GP, but... Read more
Climate change in Irish medicine
Dr Mick Molloy | 03 August 2007
The first part of the private medical meltdown would seem to be on the cards at present. Vhi Healthcare has apparently asked the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, to approve an 8.5 per cent hike in rates. This is not... Read more
Why a major crisis will really rock our hospitals
Dr Mick Molloy | 27 July 2007
In recent weeks Ireland has seen its fair share of emergencies; a bus crash in Cork, the plane and helicopter crashes in Galway, the staircase collapse in the Natural History Museum in Dublin and the incident in Dun Laoghaire harbour... Read more
RTE documentary brings back memories
Dr Mick Molloy | 20 July 2007
RTE is rerunning its Junior Doctors series at a most appropriate time, early July, when most NCHD staff are changing from one hospital to another and a fresh batch of interns is let loose in the wards of Ireland’s hospitals.... Read more
Hospitals must facilitate NCHDs for inductions
Dr Mick Molloy | 13 July 2007
Thousands of NCHDs will have started in new jobs in the last few days. Many will never have worked previously in the site they are now in. Some will have started on Sunday 1 July without knowing much about the... Read more
A cautionary tale for the intern treating patients outside hospital
Dr Mick Molloy | 06 July 2007
It’s a very exciting time of year for interns, with six years of studying completed they are in the real world. For some reality hits a little quicker than with others. I flew to the south of France recently for... Read more
Unassigned money can fund some badly needed services
Dr Mick Molloy | 29 June 2007
We are told that more money is being spent on the health services than ever before yet we are handing money back to the Government because it cannot be spent. That is the message I got when I read that... Read more
Be prepared! A centuries-old scourge is due a comeback
Dr Mick Molloy | 22 June 2007
Pandemic flu is something many of us may never experience in our lifetimes. As a global society we are however overdue a pandemic influenza strike. The effects of previous pandemics were limited at the time through much reduced population migration... Read more
Charitable donations must continue to be preserved
Dr Mick Molloy | 15 June 2007
Ireland is a country that has survived on charitable donations. Some came from other countries during the famine. Other donations or remittances came from emigrants who supported whole families from abroad; while they themselves lived in squalor hoping that the... Read more
Who manages the rollercoaster of indefinite duration contracts?
Dr Mick Molloy | 08 June 2007
There we have it; 1,200 doctors are now apparently entitled to contracts of indefinite duration as non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs). Junior doctors, trainees, surgeons-in-training, junior physicians; call them what you want but I don’t believe they were ever meant to... Read more
Government should provide leadership and not 'spin'
01 June 2007
Regardless of who is leading the new Government, Dr Mick Molloy believes that more governance, legislation and leadership is required in the country’s health service By the time you read this the result of the General Election will have been... Read more
Avoiding slings and arrows of closing our hospital services
Dr Mick Molloy | 25 May 2007
Leaks regarding a proposed implementation plan by the Teamwork Group for Acute Hospital Services in the North East have surfaced again. This is essentially looking at the Hanly report’s recommendations from many years ago. Teamwork appears to be basing its... Read more
Why doctors get sick from writing sick notes
Dr Mick Molloy | 18 May 2007
In our various roles there is a lot of paperwork. Some necessary for our own remuneration, some generated by the incessant drive for statistics and some for “insurance purposes”. How I hate that particular phrase. It would seem that... Read more
Hospital beds to be huge election issue
Dr Mick Molloy | 11 May 2007
The country will go to the polls on 24 May 2007. The Taoiseach did say a number of years ago that he planned to stay for the full constitutional term, I didn’t think that he meant down to the last... Read more
The joys of travel can be marred on Irish trains
Dr Mick Molloy | 04 May 2007
Travelling can be a pleasure in Ireland, particularly if one is not constrained by timetables. Options for travelling have increased dramatically with new motorways, enhanced rail services and more accessible internal flights. But, as a regular traveller, I have some... Read more
Family friendly policies are needed for NCHDs
Dr Mick Molloy | 27 April 2007
Some were not happy with the choice of venue for the IMO AGM, but Killarney does make it easy for delegates, partners and children to all be included in the activities. I don’t believe the camaraderie exhibited in Killarney would... Read more
Government's confrontation with nurses looks ill-advised
Dr Mick Molloy | 20 April 2007
The world is falling down around us apparently. The nurses are on work to rule and are now the new favourite enemy of the Department of Health. This has probably saved the consultants a few column inches of vitriol but... Read more
It has been the best of times and the worst of times...
Dr Mick Molloy | 13 April 2007
I have been asked by Irish Medical Times to write a little about what has happened in the last year as chair of the IMO NCHD committee. That should be relatively easy, I thought, but looking back on the year... Read more
Rigid graduate entry system can exclude the best people
Dr Mick Molloy | 06 April 2007
An interesting article in The Irish Times recently on grade inflation said it appears that our colleges and universities are handing out more honours degrees and more first class honours degrees than ever before. Most people will not find this... Read more
Hospital developers jittery about new government
Dr Mick Molloy | 30 March 2007
If I were a developer of a co-located hospital, I would be worried at present. With a general election looming, veiled threats are being issued by the opposition about plans for co-located facilities to the point that we cannot be... Read more
Beware of computer meltdown in job hunt
Dr Mick Molloy | 23 March 2007
Meltdown is a term we normally associate with the nuclear industry, or breakfast croissants and melted cheese. It is not a term one would normally associate with medical recruitment in the UK. Modernising medical careers, or ‘MMC’ as it is... Read more
Relationship of doctor and patient paramount
Dr Mick Molloy | 16 March 2007
Contracts can be confusing. Sometimes I wonder if they are deliberately written obscurely to ensure that what is being offered as part of a contract is so hidden in the morass that it will rarely be asked for or understood... Read more
Like gyms, Ireland's bogs and farms are healthy places
Dr Mick Molloy | 09 March 2007
Having kids who wake up exceptionally early means that I occasionally get to watch breakfast television shows. I was pleasantly surprised recently to see a feature on a gym which had introduced special programmes for young children. The facility, based... Read more
Drinks can be spiked — with alcohol not drugs
Dr Mick Molloy | 02 March 2007
“Doctor, my drink was spiked.” How many times have you heard it? If truth be told the majority of those who make such a claim are correct — their drink has been spiked, but generally with more drink! But, seriously,... Read more
Barriers to diagnosis are costing lives
Dr Mick Molloy | 16 February 2007
Frustration at the moment is palpable and it is making life easy for radio presenters, as there is so much health-related material out there which they do not even have to research to find. Members of the public are coming... Read more
Does one site fit all for the new national children's hospital?
Dr Mick Molloy | 02 February 2007
The Crumlin saga just runs and runs. All manner of interested parties are now expressing their opinion, all more interesting than the last. Not having seen the document which indicated why the Mater site was chosen in the first instance,... Read more
Soundbites and blame games unfair to doctors
Dr Mick Molloy | 26 January 2007
Apart from all the other wrongs that consultants have apparently committed in recent years, they are now responsible for “blocking the recruitment of more staff in protest at plans to make them work evenings and weekends, as if nobody could... Read more
Childrens' television can aid healthy habits
Dr Mick Molloy | 19 January 2007
It’s 2007 and for many our plans of going to the gym, losing weight, stopping smoking are either succeeding or have fallen by the wayside for another year. New Year’s resolutions are very common but how many of us carry... Read more
Support our front line services now
Dr Mick Molloy | 12 January 2007
Christmas is finally over after a season that appears to have lasted since last year’s January sales. The financial pundits tell us it is a time of year when rational thought is not an option and the culture is to... Read more
Proposed Nursing Home Bill is unfair and ageist
Dr Mick Molloy | 05 January 2007
The recent Budget has highlighted the extent to which headlines, rather than public need, can direct public and legislative policy. For years, service development in healthcare has focused on which lobby group had the loudest voice. This has also resulted... Read more
All they want for Christmas is...
Dr Mick Molloy | 15 December 2006
All they want for Christmas is an intern job. Not much to ask the Minister for Health considering it has been so expensive training them in Ireland but it seems as if yet again large numbers of medical graduates are... Read more
Hospital policy raises major questions
Dr Mick Molloy | 08 December 2006
The furore rages on. What to do with private medicine, private hospitals, private consultants, public consultants, private hospitals on public hospital sites and consultants in general? For a moment I thought that world peace must surely be hanging on the... Read more
Acute hospital beds a good option for elderly
Dr Mick Molloy | 01 December 2006
The debate on nursing homes, and Leas Cross in particular, looks like it will run for some time. The recent announcement that the HSE has suspended admissions to certain nursing homes has added further controversy to the debate. One would... Read more