# HSE
This week
28th May 2023 - 30th May 2023
# healthcare workers
Over 800 nurses and midwives assaulted in first three months of 2023
Over 62% of all assaults reported to the HSE in the first quarter were carried out against nurses and midwives.
Last week
21st May 2023 - 27th May 2023
THE MORNING LEAD
No funding being provided this year for development of more HSE eating disorder services
Sinn Féin’s Mark Ward said there is “a lack of ambition and political will to deliver services that are so badly needed in our health system”.
The HSE confirmed there is no additional funding to develop new eating disorder teams in this year's National Service Plan.
Ward has said "there cannot be another Budget Day with no additional spending on eating disorder services".
# lgbt healthcare
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.
This month
May 2023
# Limerick Review
HSE boss agrees to independent review of circumstances of Limerick hospital death
Eve Cleary, aged 21, died at University Hospital Limerick four hours after she had been discharged from the hospital on a wheelchair and in pain.
# psycho-oncology
HSE to launch psychological supports for young people with cancer
Each year almost 400 people in Ireland under the age of 24 are diagnosed with cancer.
# cyber crime
'Is anyone else terrified?': Doctors concerned as GPs are targets of ransomware attacks monthly
One doctor said that trying to avoid getting hit by hackers is like trying to “jay walk down the quays in Dublin”.
# GP shortage
GPs say new medical card holders will struggle to get seen in midst of 'workforce crisis'
The Medical Director of the ICGP said GPs are facing a serious workforce shortage.
# Covid-19
Over 100 faulty ventilators ordered by HSE in March 2020 still in storage amid legal dispute
The HSE is currently seeking to recoup €22.3 million for faulty and undelivered ventilators.
# Industrial Action
Ambulance workers vote for strike action over delays to proposed pay reforms
A proposed new pay scale has not been implemented despite negotiations.
# hse recruitment
HSE kept recruiting nurses from African countries added to WHO list of vulnerable workforces
The Vice President of Zimbabwe has called international recruitment of healthcare workers a crime against humanity.
# HSE
Donnelly in talks on establishing 'hospital-linked' accommodation for migrant nurses
The Health Minister said that he has spoken with hospital management about setting up accommodation for overseas staff in particular.
# INMO
'I was punched in the face': ED nurse on why there's no appetite for strike but it may be 'only way'
Dublin-based nurse Moira Wynne said that the lack of homecare for older people is affecting the entire health service.
# INMO
Nurses to vote on potential strike action as HSE and Government roll out new promises
The INMO Executive Council said that a fully funded staffing plan is needed to avoid the “catastrophic impact” of last winter.
# staffing crisis
More than seven in ten Irish nurses have considered quitting their jobs - INMO survey
Nurses mainly wanted to leave their workplace due to stress, while many also reported experiencing aggressive behaviour.
# Your Say
Poll: Would you be happy for your pharmacist to treat minor ailments?
It is understood that the project is still at an early stage.
Last month
April 2023
# booster vaccine
HSE launch spring Covid-19 booster programme for older and immunocompromised people
The booster programme is aimed to be completed by the end of May.
# Women's Health
Total withdrawal of partner access in maternity hospitals 'not appropriate', says HSE
Campaigners have criticised how partners continue to be restricted in attending appointments in some hospitals.
# Dispute
National Ambulance Service personnel to ballot on strike action
The dispute centres around proposed new work structures.
# Infection Control
Mater Hospital nurse up for global award on leading change in infection control after pandemic
Jincy Jerry, a nursing manager who has an autistic son, says she experiences the health service from both sides.
# Robert Watt
Donnelly found out 'yesterday' that Robert Watt tried to email him about Holohan secondment
He said that he handed his phone and laptop over for a week due to a “security issue”.
# Abortion Services
Donnelly: 'Unacceptable' that abortion services are not available in all maternity hospitals
The Health Minister also said that the review of Irish abortion law would be published “very shortly”.
# mask wearing
Health unions seek urgent meeting with HSE on end of mandatory mask wearing in hospitals
There are concerns that lifting mandatory mask wearing could cause “friction” between those with different views in already overcrowded hospital wards.
# pandemic
Rollout of pandemic bonus has had errors but is largely complete, says Donnelly
A total of €208 million in tax-free pandemic bonus payments has been issued, the health minister said.
THE MORNING LEAD
Indian nurses recruited by HSE wait months in Ireland without their children before starting work
Twenty-nine migrant nurses who were recruited to one Dublin hospital were promised six weeks of paid accommodation, and then told they would have to leave after a week on arrival.
Twenty-nine migrant nurses who were recruited to one Dublin hospital were promised six weeks of paid accommodation, and then told they would have to leave after a week on arrival.
One mother-of-two from India hasn't been able to find a house to rent so her family can join her, Eimer McAuley reports.
# Eviction
Galway surgeon speaks of terror after landlord lunged at him with circular saw
The landlord was attempting to saw through the door with the charged power tool, claiming he was owed rent money.
# Cork City
Overcrowding in Cork city hospitals described as 'out of control' and 'dangerous'
Overcrowding records were broken today in both Cork University Hospital and Mercy University Hospital.
# Ombudsman
HSE 'refused or delayed' repayments to some patients who got essential medical treatment abroad
The Ombudsman said patients felt the schemes to be ‘unforgiving and lacking in empathy when it came to administrative errors’.
# pay talks
Pay talks: Additional money for HSE funded agencies 'must go on worker's pay, not admin costs'
Trade unions are set to push the State to reclassify agency healthcare workers as public servants.
# Hospital overcrowding
Consultants say staffing plan is needed for €1 billion hospital bed-building initiative to work
The IHCA has said that there is a danger this plan will fall at the first hurdle is it is not accompanied with a time-bound staffing plan.
THE MORNING LEAD
'We've seen more working people and others who wouldn't be homeless in normal circumstances'
While some have predicted a sudden, large increase in homelessness after the lifting of the eviction ban, others say the increase will be more gradual.
Homeless charities have spoken about the breadth of people being affected by the housing crisis.
Depaul has detailed concerns over people's access to medical care.
Elderly people are at particular risk of becoming homeless after eviction.
# Bird Flu
HSE urges public to avoid handling 'sick and dead birds' due to risk posed by bird flu
No cases of bird flu infection caused illness have been observed in the EU, but they have been recorded in other countries.
# finger prick test
Hepatitis C home testing kits are now available for free from HSE
People will be able to order the testing kit online at the HSE’s new Hepatitis C online service.
March
March 2023
# CervicalCheck
All CervicalCheck samples to be tested in US after Irish lab has accreditation suspended
The National Cervical Screening Laboratory lost its accreditation due to “administrative delays”.
# MMR
Parents urged to check children are vaccinated against measles before travelling during Easter
The HSE is advising parents to make sure children are up to date with their MMR vaccines if they are travelling abroad.
# Coronavirus
Covid-19 testing centres to close nationally, as testing no longer needed for 'vast majority'
Both PCR and antigen testing will continue to be used by doctors in hospitals and general practices
# sexual health
Call to consider including advice for over-40s in new sexual health strategy
An independent review has made 32 recommendations on how to advance Ireland’s sexual health and wellbeing.
# Health
Donnelly to introduce legislation to abolish in-patient charges in public hospitals
The bill will remove the acute public in-patient charge of €80 per day, up to a maximum of €800 in a year, for public patients in all public hospitals.
# Cystic Fibrosis
HSE approves use of life-changing Cystic Fibrosis drug for 35 children previously excluded
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said it was a “very welcome development”.
# Norovirus
Public urged to be aware of winter vomiting bug symptoms as cases rise
In the first 10 weeks of 2023, there have been 394 cases of norovirus recorded.
# Southeast
Appeals for plan to cope with waiting lists as Wexford A&E could remain shut for six months
While services have been resuming at the hospital, its emergency department remains closed.
