The diabetes medication metformin hydrochloride was associated with decreased weight gain in a small clinical trial of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who were taking atypical antipsychotics to treat symptoms of irritability and agitation, according to an article published online by JAMA Psychiatry.

The impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in real-world settings has become increasingly evident, especially among girls vaccinated before HPV exposure in countries with high vaccine uptake, according to new research.

The National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) has sought expression of interest this month (August 10) for the construction work of the planned 120-bed ward building at the Dublin hospital.

The NAGP is seeking a meeting with the Minister for Health to discuss solutions to the crippling debt that is reportedly preventing medical graduates from choosing a career in general practice.

Compliance with a maximum 48-hour week under the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) was at 81 per cent as of the end of May, the HSE reports.

Further moves to appoint hospital Group Board members are expected “in the near future”, the Department of Health (DoH) has indicated.

Expanded governance and reporting requirements, together with ICT and eHealth developments, have made it necessary to create new top-level posts, the HSE has insisted, after it emerged that total HSE managers at Grade VIII and above grew by 40 per cent in the four years to last June.

The Irish Medical Council (IMC) will be holding a patient safety conference on October 27 to highlight the important role of leadership in patient safety within a global and national context, at which award winning English journalist, author and broadcaster and former top table tennis international Matthew Syed will speak.

The review of the GMS and other publicly funded health sector contracts involving GPs, a process which is currently under way, provides an opportunity to further enhance the minimum standards that apply to GP practice premises, according to the HSE.

Dear Editor, I am a semi-retired primary care physician.