The IMO has alerted the HSE, which they say has failed to provide the relevant supports for a properly functioning out-of-hours cover almost five years after its establishment, that public health doctors (PHDs) no longer wish to be a party to the delivery of an unsafe service.

Dr Garrett FitzGerald believes the health service — like most walks of life — would benefit enormously by having women take over the controls and bring balance for the benefit of patients.

Tallaght Hospital is currently reviewing its entire bed stock capacity in order to develop plans to “future-proof service requirements for the years ahead”.

A new meta-analysis, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal, concludes that there is no evidence to suggest that vitamin D supplements prevent falls, and that ongoing trials to test this theory are unlikely to change this result.

Minister of State Kathleen Lynch has asked the Expert Group currently reviewing the Mental Health Act 2001 to specifically consider the broader issue of whether mental health legislation should be amended to require health professionals to consult with the family of persons with mental health problems.

The post of chief executive at the soon-to-be-formed Patient Safety Agency — which will play a significant role in helping patients who have complaints — is to be advertised shortly, IMT understands.

The Government has almost doubled the State Claims Agency’s (SCA) remit for managing personal injury damages, with the number of public bodies covered having increased from 63 to 119.

Third quarter figures for last year show 21.

IMO members have rejected a call for the Department of Health to support a media campaign to highlight the causes of dental decay – namely poor diet and inadequate dental hygiene – and stop the practice of adding fluoride to public drinking water.

Cosmetic surgery is taking place in totally inappropriate environments with “no oversight, no accreditation and no visits by HIQA”, a leading consultant surgeon has warned.