The compliance rate with the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) for a maximum 48-hour week was at just 76 per cent as of the end of December — down 1 percentage point since November, the latest available figures from the HSE-National Doctors Training and Planning (HSE-NDTP) indicates.

The draft 8th Edition of the Irish Medical Council’s (IMC’s) Ethical Guide is currently undergoing review by the National Adult Literacy Agency’s Plain English Editing service (NALA) to make sure that it is in plain English, IMT reports.

The scheme design process for the development of the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) at St Vincent’s University Hospital Campus will be concluded in the next few weeks, it is expected.

Influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) was found to be moderate for H1N1 and B virus in 2014/15, and low for H3N2, a study of eight countries including Ireland has found.

The recall of patients that arose from a recheck of BowelScreen colonoscopies at Wexford General Hospital in 2014 has been “thoroughly and comprehensively investigated”, Ireland East Hospital Group has said.

Recommendations in a top-level report in relation to the Emergency Department (ED) at Sligo University Hospital did not include a possible reduction of opening hours, Saolta University Healthcare Group has stated.

Children will begin receiving new vaccines in the fourth quarter of this year, it is planned, including the introduction of Meningococcal B and Rotavirus vaccines.

Fianna Fáil (FF) looks likely to top the electoral poll on first-preference ballots among GPs with 31.

The NAGP has said the just-announced deal on rural general practice is a “vindication” for doctors, but cautions enhanced fees must be viewed within the context of a new GMS GP contract.

Ahead of the General Election tomorrow (February 26), the Medical Protection Society (MPS) is urging the new administration to prioritise legal and procedural reform to tackle the cost of clinical negligence.