# Healthcare
Yesterday
27th March 2023
# Healthcare
Wexford hospital opens children's unit as emergency department remains closed after fire
The Paediatric Assessment Unit can care for problems such as minor injuries, fevers and sore throats.
This month
March 2023
# Diabetes
Biden praises US drug manufacturer for cutting insulin price by 70%
The announcement will be welcomed by over 37 million Americans, after manufacturers ratcheted up insulin prices in recent years.
Last month
February 2023
# Women's Health
'Still a long way to go' in removing stigma around menopause in Ireland
Dr Caoimhe Hartley told The Journal that Ireland is still not where it needs to be when it comes to women’s health.
Voices
Opinion: Menopause is a workplace issue - it must be addressed as such by employers
According to employment expert Katie Ridge BL, a culture shift regarding menopause is underway, although change is slow.
# Robert Watt
Nursing home charges: Legal strategy was 'never challenged' by politicians, says top civil servant
Many medical card holders who were in long-term care between 1976 to 2005 had to pay when it should have been free.
# NHS
UK faces 'hugely disrupted day' as biggest strike action in NHS history takes place
Nurses and ambulance staff are walking out together for the first time.
January
January 2023
# Negligence
Government to establish group to examine the rising cost of health-related legal claims
The Working Group aims to reduce the rising cost of clinical negligence claims in the health system.
THE MORNING LEAD
‘Fragmented and unpredictable’: Healthcare services failing island communities
Broken down ambulances, no storage for supplies and outdated clinics among a litany of healthcare provider concerns.
HSE report finds island healthcare staff working “extremely hard" with "inadequate resources”
Regular breakdowns on Arranmore have locals tow-starting ambulance to get patients to safety
Clare Island GP: Our health centre is "completely outdated and unfit for purpose"
# New Technology
Galway hospital becomes first in Ireland and UK to use robotic technology in heart procedures
The new technology is used in stent procedures to relieve blockages in the arteries of the heart.
# Healthcare
ESRI: Extending free GP care to all by 2026 could cost state up to €881 million
The research was published today by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
# Healthcare
Healthcare services situation ‘matching or exceeding most pessimistic model’, HSE boss says
Flu was already at levels that made this winter ‘an exceptional season’, the HSE said.
# Healthcare
HSE rolls out walk-in flu vaccines for children after 700 hospitalisations over winter
The walk-in clinics will be available at no charge for children from age two to 17 until 23 January.
# Hospitals
Consultants warn of stark impacts for patients due to 'avoidable delays' in health system
The HSE has faced significant strain this month amid a surge in cases of respiratory illnesses and presentations in emergency departments.
# Hospitals
'Not acceptable' that people are dying due to overcrowding, says INMO
The former head of the HSE also stated today that overcrowding has become a permanent feature of the healthcare system.
Voices
Opinion: Should we rethink how we approach men's healthcare?
RCSI Professor Dr Seamus Cowman looks at the trajectory of understanding of men’s health in Ireland.
Last year
2022
# Healthcare
Taoiseach aims to reduce wait for child healthcare and assessments by 2025
Varadkar’s new unit will aim to reduce the time children have to wait to receive healthcare or be assessed for special needs.
Voices
Opinion: As a carer, I have met the best of people in colleagues and clients
This year’s Carer of the Year Breda Pagett outlines the joys and the challenges of the job.
# CervicalCheck
Patient Safety Bill to be amended after TDs raise concerns
The amendment relates to a draft law being fast-tracked in memory of the late campaigner Vicky Phelan.
# rising costs
Final cost of National Children’s Hospital ‘may not be known for years’
Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall said there seemed to be a “perennial problem” in Ireland with delivering major infrastructure projects.
# Northern Ireland
Full abortion services to be commissioned in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland’s abortion laws were liberalised in 2019, but the Department of Health never centrally commissioned the rollout of full services due to a political impasse at Stormont.
# Waiting Lists
Healthcare report shows increase in ED attendances and outpatient appointments
Close to 200,000 people had been on outpatient waiting lists for over a year.
# Healthcare
CervicalCheck review highlights patients' ongoing fight for justice
A new report shows there are still gaps in acknowledging and rectifying problems if a mistake is made.
THE MORNING LEAD
Further investment in trans healthcare services needed, clinicians tell TDs
The briefing was organised by Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan and Independent Senator Michael McDowell.
# Primary Care
Hundreds of thousands of people march in support for Madrid's public healthcare
The protest comes ahead of a planned strike by nearly 5,000 regional family doctors and paediatricians
# Health
Cancer patients in deprived communities 'being left behind' due to inequality of care
These individuals often face hidden costs and less GP access, the report found
# Healthcare
Trade union asks Health Minister to extend Covid-19 payment to contracted frontline workers
The criteria does not currently include workers exployed by external companies.
# Healthcare
Department of Health to be asked to consider certificates commemorating early pregnancy losses
Currently, there is no provision to recognise the loss of an unborn child before 24 weeks of pregnancy.
# Healthcare
NHS sets up 'war rooms' to cope with difficult winter
Britain’s health service is preparing for a winter of flu, Covid and record staff vacancies
Voices
Pharmacist: HRT and supplements for menopause have greatly improved - there's no need to suffer
Pharmacist Oonagh O’Hagan says the culture of silence around menopause is almost gone and there are many choices now for women.
# commemoration
March planned to remember Savita on the 10-year anniversary of her death
Savita Halappanavar died in October 2012, and her tragic death led to a raft of investigations and an outcry across Ireland.
# Healthcare
Spanish baby receives groundbreaking intestinal transplant
Spain is a world leader in organ transplants.
# Healthcare
HSE announces €169 million winter plan to tackle overcrowding and other issues
Minister Stephen Donnelly brought the plan to Cabinet for approval today.
# Healthcare
Budget 2023 must address 'chronic' overcrowding in Irish hospitals, says INMO
It called for a ‘laser focus’ on recruitment of nurses and midwives.
# Healthcare
Free contraception scheme for women aged 17 to 25 begins today
The National Women’s Council has welcomed the move but said it’s ‘crucial’ that the age bracket is widened.
# RIP
€100,000 to be given to families of healthcare staff who died due to Covid-19 through work
The Minister for Health said the scheme “offers some support from the state to provide for the family’s needs”.
# INMO
Nurses and midwives' union to ballot members on industrial action
INMO has pointed to persistent inflation and the rising cost of living as sources of strain for members.
# Healthcare
Doctors 'struggling to get paid' due to payroll issues in hospital changeover, IMO says
Non-consultant hospital doctors regularly move hospitals and must join a new payroll system each time.
Voices
Opinion: E-cigarettes are not part of the solution to a tobacco free Ireland
Professor Des Cox says it’s tempting to see e-cigarettes as a solution to smoking but he says that’s just not the case.
Voices
Stephen Donnelly: The intimidation of women seeking abortion services will soon be illegal
The health minister outlines new legislation agreed by Cabinet today for safe access zones outside abortion providers.
Voices
GP: Why are we waging a war on e-cigarettes when they help smokers quit?
Dr Garrett McGovern argues that banning e-cigarette flavours will increase smoking harm and death and will not protect young people.
