In an apparent policy U-turn, the HSE is to establish an expert panel to examine a range of medical conditions that should be considered when issuing medical cards.

The HSE plans to consult with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner with a view to ensuring that the contract for free under-sixes GP care — when finalised — “is fully compliant with the requirements of data protection legislation”.

Almost half (48 per cent) of NCHDs were compliant with the 48-hour average working week in March 2014, compared to just 34 per cent in March 2013, figures reveal.

The HSE is using EURES, the European public recruitment and career service, to advertise across the EU to fill NCHD posts.

The RCPI and the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland (CPsychI) on Monday (May 26) launched the first jointly developed e-learning course entitled ‘Delirium; Recognition and Response’, which aims to support doctors with the understanding, identification and management of delirium.

A high prevalence of patients on new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are at risk of drug interactions and an increased risk of major bleeding, the HSE Medicines Management Programme has warned.

The HSE’s Primary Care Division is targeting pay reduction savings of some €6.

An analysis of the activity in St Vincent’s Emergency Department for the period after the St Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown, reconfiguration shows that there have been “fewer people on trolleys and patient experience times continue to be among the best in Dublin”, according to the Minister for Health.

The State Claims Agency (SCA) has defended its approach to managing complex clinical negligence claims, stating it had a statutory role to ensure no one was overcompensated, and has accused plaintiffs’ lawyers of exceedingly overstating demands sometimes by up to three times and implacably opposing mediation.

More than 100,000 illegal prescription medicines worth almost €300,000 have been detained this month.