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Wednesday 27 September 2023 Dublin: 12°C

# Healthcare

Yesterday
26th September 2023
Taoiseach, Health Minister to meet with families impacted by spinal surgery crisis
Stephen Donnelly told the Dáil that he will begin meetings with families and patient advocacy groups on Wednesday.
Last week
17th September 2023 - 23rd September 2023
Sinn Féin's new healthcare plan promises an ‘Irish NHS’ within two terms of government
The party is also promising to make digital transformation of Ireland’s health service a priority if they get into government.
Opinion: 'The Viagra was handed to me as though it were a live bomb'
Bob McQuaid, a 29-year-old new dad, opens up about his years struggling with erectile dysfunction and how he got help in the end.
Health minister tells taskforce that roster reform is needed to tackle hospital overcrowding
The Emergency Department TaskForce convened this afternoon to discuss lack of sufficient resources for patient numbers.
This month
September 2023
Warning that no new patients should be put on Ozempic as medicine shortages rise
A report by
Lauren Boland
Around 350 medicines are currently out of stock or in short supply in Ireland, according to the HPRA.
215,000 people become eligible for free GP care from today
People earning up to the median income will now be eligible for GP visit cards.
Children with disabilities spending months in inappropriate settings due to lack of supports
A new report says the “failure of the State” has resulted in children being denied the opportunity to grow up at home with their families.
Last month
August 2023
Eligibility for GP visit cards expanded for people aged up to 69 and children aged 8 and over
The online application system will open next month.
Mobile x-ray service for older people to be expanded next year in effort to reduce ED visits
People will be able to have x-rays taken in nursing homes, community facilities or in their own home instead of having to travel to a hospital.
'Medical tourists' urged to fully research their procedure and protections before travelling
A recent study found that people underestimate the risks involved with travelling abroad for bariatric surgery.
HPV vaccine catch-up scheme expanded to include young men up to 22nd birthday
The vaccine can prevent infection leading to multiple types of cancer, including cervical cancer.
Woman receives UK’s first womb transplant after her sister acts as living donor
Doctors said the procedure was a ‘massive success’ and the recipient hopes to undergo IVF later this year.
Health and social workers in eight areas to strike over career progression dispute
Those going on strike include physiotherapists, occupational therapists and social workers.
HSE won't resume Covid vaccination programme despite 'more transmissible' new variant
The vaccine booster will not be available until the end of next month, and only for at-risk groups.
Axa to buy Laya Healthcare in deal worth €650 million
Laya is the second largest health insurer in Ireland, with 690,000 customers.
July
July 2023
HSE to be split into six new health regions next year as part of long-awaited reforms
The plan says geographical appointments and appointments new roles will be complete by this October.
Explainer: How will the new publicly funded IVF scheme work?
We’ve collected the answers to important questions like what the scheme covers and who is eligible.
Wexford General Hospital's emergency department reopens nearly five months after fire
It is expected to take three to four weeks before full bed capacity is returned to the hospital.
Opinion: Many carers feel isolated with no confidence after being out of paid work for so long
Caroline Lawless shares her experience of life as a carer and says more supports are needed for those returning to paid work.
Physios: Incontinence, piles and painful sex - issues new mothers face that no one talks about
Physiotherapists Eimear Lynch and Aoife Harvey have some advice for new mums facing post partum issues.
June
June 2023
Opinion: As Lewis Capaldi pulls back, he cuts through an unspoken form of ableism
Niamh Jimenez says Lewis Capaldi’s break from touring announced this week is an antidote to inspiration porn.
St Vincent's Hospital ordered to release former 'Catholic ethos' code of ethics
The code of ethics, dating from 2011, forbid various contraceptive measures and other forms of healthcare.
Government moves to ramp up healthcare and vet college places amid staffing crisis
Minister Simon Harris said this could address the yearly ‘scramble’ for college places and give more options to students.
Children's Hospital Board rejects claim operating theatre fault could cost 'tens of millions'
The matter is expected to be raised in the Dáil later today.
11 of the hospital's 22 operating theatres will require works to address a problem identified last year.
A TD suggested the issue could cause delays and cost tens of millions, but the hospital board has refuted those claims.
The matter is the most recent controversy for a project that has repeatedly come to public attention.
Taoiseach tours National Children's Hospital as construction reaches 80% completion
Inflation and Ukraine fallout pose fresh hurdles for children's hospital as structure takes shape
Nurses recruited to Ireland who fail €2,800 test left with debt and no work
A report by
Eimer McAuley
There have been calls for pre-test training to be introduced.
Two nurses who failed the exam, and were left in debt and unsure what to do next have spoken to The Journal about their experience.
Eimer McAuley continues her reporting on the recruitment and retention problems in the health service.
Opinion: It's important that healthcare staff support the proposed ban on conversion practices
Dr Suzanne Crowe of the Medical Council looks at the proposed ban on conversion practices and says healthcare staff need to get behind it.
HSE launch campaign to recruit 400 new doctors to practice in Ireland by end of 2023
International ad campaigns will take place across the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
May
May 2023
Explainer: Why are HSE bosses calling for a ‘permanent’ seven-day roster for hospital staff?
The HSE has said it wants to avoid a “substantial impact” of overcrowding on hospitals.
25 Ukrainian doctors graduate from English course run by St. Vincent’s Hospital
The 8-week course was delivered by a Ukrainian lecturer in response to the significant language barrier faced by Ukrainian doctors arriving in Ireland.
Healthcare workers have positive attitudes towards LGBT+ people but lack training, study shows
The HSE now has ‘Rainbow Badges’ to help pateints identify LGBTQ-friendly staff.
Waiting lists and shortage of pain specialists blamed for dependency on codeine painkillers
Over 1.1 million prescriptions for codeine-based products were issued last year.
Patient Safety Bill, which aims to create 'culture' of transparency, signed into law
The Bill will require healthcare providers to disclose certain serious safety incidents to patients or their families.
April
April 2023
Patient Safety Bill long-sought by campaigners passes final stages in Oireachtas
The bill will require healthcare providers to disclose certain serious safety incidents where there previously was no obligation.
Five years on: First review of Ireland's abortion laws recommends significant changes
The review recommends 10 changes to current legislation and 60 operational changes in relation to termination services and laws.
The review recommends that the required three-day waiting period to access a termination should no longer be mandatory and should instead be at the woman's own discretion.
It also found that there is an "uneven geographic coverage" of service providers across the country, which requires some women to travel for longer periods at significant cost.
Cabinet has agreed to refer the recommendations to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health for consideration.
Abortion review to be published tomorrow as Taoiseach criticised for 'reluctance' to update laws
Varadkar 'reluctant' to make changes after review of state's abortion laws seeks end to three-day wait
Hospitals and EDs 'don't hold all solutions to overcrowding', Donnelly tells committee
The health minister acknowledged that waiting lists for scheduled care increased by nearly 60% between 2015 and 2021.
Abortion review to be published tomorrow as Taoiseach criticised for 'reluctance' to update laws
A review of Ireland’s abortion legislation came before Cabinet this morning.
In-patient fees for public hospitals scrapped from today
Patients could previously be charged up to €80 per day, with a cap of €800 per year.
Parents of girl who died of Strep A 'begging' parents and doctors to be vigilant about illness
Vivienne Murphy died in March 2019 after contracting the illness.
England's NHS set for 'most disruptive industrial action' in history as junior doctors strike
Up to a quarter of a million appointments could be postponed, according to the NHS Confederation.
Opinion: Older people being cared for on trolleys rather than beds is an all-year-round issue
RCSI’s Dr Seamus Cowman looks at the issues around the healthcare of older people in this country.