Editorial

Colin Kerr says that Minister for Health Mary Harney may be determined to introduce a new consultant contract, with or without the approval of their representative organisations The Minister for Health Mary Harney has expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in the consultants’ contract negotiations.

Colin Kerr says it is now time for all Irish doctors to put pressure on managers and decision makers to invest in IT systems that will help to bring the Irish health service into the 21st Century For many doctors, the evolution of information technology has opened up new and exciting opportunities.

Our article “Nurse Practitioners: ANP led services can make major contribution” (Irish Medical Times, 24 November 2006) stated that 1,577 patients who attended the emergency department with minor injury/illness between July 2005 and February 2006 were suitable for treatment by ANP.

Colin Kerr says the controversy over siting a new national children’s hospital could spark an embarrassing u-turn by the Government on the Mater choice Just when Minister for Health Mary Harney thought that 2007 might bring better news than the previous 12 months, the board of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Dublin go and spoil it all.

Colin Kerr says that while the IMO and ICGP must retain their political independence they have the ability to put pressure on all the political parties before this year’s election The majority of Irish GPs will have welcomed in the New Year with low expectations of any real improvements in the health service.

Colin Kerr repeats the pledge made by Irish Medical Times 40 years ago to inform, advise, educate and entertain Irish doctors, and looks at exciting times ahead for the publicaton Irish Medical Times celebrates its 40th birthday this year.

Doctors all over the country will breathe a sigh of relief when 2006 draws to a close.

News Editor Glenn Taylor believes doctors do not need to be defensive or tightlipped with the media about their earnings and advises a proactive approach It’s that time of year again.

Colin Kerr says the next generation of GPs will be expected to have a greater skills set than their predecessors The Republic of Ireland Faculty of the Royal College of General Practitioners should be commended for its initiative in trying to boost the number of GP training places available in Ireland.