Queen’s University Belfast has been named as a partner in a UK research centre focused on improving the lives of people with asthma.

While lead NCHDs in eight pilot hospitals and the operation of their role are being evaluated, the HSE has insisted that it remains its objective to roll out the programme nationwide.

Young women could be subjected to unnecessary treatment that may have “potential long-term negative effects on their health and fertility” if the cervical screening age were lowered to invite those under 25 for smear tests, the outgoing Minister for Health has said.

The Director of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) has welcomed the introduction of new sunbed legislation, particularly the ban on the under 18 year age group.

Difficulties regarding the ring-fencing of beds for CF patients in the Respiratory Unit in Cork University Hospital have been resolved, the former Minister for Health has insisted.

The Department of Health has begun a major exercise to estimate the likely cost of Universal Health Insurance (UHI) both for the State and individuals and households.

There were 671 patients judged clinically ready for discharge, as of May 27, with a number of hospitals experiencing significant increases in delayed discharges compared to January this year, according to the HSE.

The HSE has estimated that the average cost of services per medical card holder in 2012 was around €1,026.

Two of the key European Working Time Directive (EWTD) targets have improved significantly, according to the HSE, including compliance with the 24-hour limit on shifts which now stands at over 90 per cent.

The enactment of the Health Identifiers Act 2014 has been welcomed by HIQA, which has described the legislation as “an important step forward” for patient safety.