Journalists

Low-risk patients get 'little benefit' from statins and face threat of adverse side-effects 

Thousands of Irish people without heart disease who are prescribed statins - the cholesterol-lowering drug - may only be getting a small benefit and leaving themselves at risk of potential harms, according to new research.

Proposed change to the law on organ donation 'is misleading the public' 

Proposed legislation aimed at increasing organ donation for patients needing a gift of life is "misleading the public", chief executive of the Irish Kidney Association Mark Murphy said yesterday.

Experts warn about over-the-counter genetic tests 

Over-the-counter genetic tests can "easily be misinterpreted" and should not be relied on solely to make health decisions, experts have warned.

HSE warned of range of claims of alleged financial abuse and neglect of people aged over 80 

The HSE was notified of a catalogue of alleged financial abuse and neglect of people aged over 80 years old last year.

Eilish O'Regan: 'Patients forced to wait on trolley for a bed 'end up staying longer in hospital'' 

Hospitals were bursting at the seams yesterday after running out of beds for 587 patients - a signal of the winter season of number-crunching ahead and counting the daily toll of trolleys in A&Es.

Missed warning signs of stroke lead to delay in vital treatment for thousands of patients 

Thousands of patients who are missing the signs of stroke are losing out on vital time and taking hours to get to hospital, it has been claimed.

Many heart attack victims ignore 'second chance at life' and still smoke 

Almost half of heart attack survivors who were smokers are still lighting up two years after their illness, a new study reveals.

Huge increase in women diagnosed with concussion 'shows risks of playing rugby' 

The rise in the number of female rugby players diagnosed with concussion adds to "growing concerns" about the game's safety, doctors have warned in a new study.

Diners 'eat less fat and salt' if menu displays a calorie count 

Forcing restaurants and cafés to print calorie counts on menus could lead to diners eating less salt and fat, a new study has revealed.

HSE told of 11,780 safeguarding concerns 

A catalogue of alleged financial abuse and neglect of elderly people over 80 years old was notified to the HSE last year.

Half of staff in day-care cancer units shun flu jab 

Less than half of staff in hospital oncology day wards availed of a flu vaccine, despite caring for cancer patients whose defences were lowered, a new study has revealed.

Eilish O'Regan: 'Adult psychiatric units are no place for children with severe mental health issues' 

At least 37 severely mentally ill children had to be admitted to adult psychiatric units so far this year, highlighting the ongoing scandal of inadequate care for these vulnerable young people.

Eilish O'Regan: 'Waiting list patients are unwitting victims of the toxic culture within our hospitals' 

Hospital outpatient waiting lists have managed to set new records this year for all the wrong reasons as the number of public patients needing to see a specialist maintained a relentless spiral.

Women forced to travel as only 10 out of 19 maternity units provide full abortion service 

Just half of the country's 19 maternity units are providing a full abortion service, it emerged yesterday.

Despite slight drop 568,769 public patients still waiting to see a specialist 

Hospital outpatient waiting lists have recorded the first drop this year – but 568,769 are still in the queue to see a specialist.

Doctors 'forced abroad by deep lack of respect and bullying' 

Bullying and abuse suffered by doctors are bigger factors than pay in pushing our medics abroad, it was claimed.

€100m fund will pay for diagnostic scans from private system - Harris 

Part of the €100m allocated in the Budget to pay for private treatment for public patients is expected to be used to buy diagnostic scans in the community, Health Minister Simon Harris said yesterday.

Patients with highest medicine bills will see gains as prescription charges are cut again 

PUBLIC and private patients who have the highest medicine bills are among the winners in this year's Budget.

Dentists and GPs hold key to promise of free care for children 

THE promise of free GP care for children under eight, extending the scheme currently available to the under sixes, is likely to benefit around 70,000.

Despite extra €1bn, HSE has to run faster to stand still 

THE health service is getting an extra cash injection of €1bn - bringing its day-to-day spending budget in 2020 to a record €17.4bn.

Failure to ring-fence sugar tax criticised 

THE failure to ring-fence revenue collected from the sugar tax on fizzy drinks for health measures was criticised as a "dereliction of duty" in light of the obesity crisis among children.

Eilish O'Regan: 'Beyond giveaway highlights lurks long waiting lists, rising demand and recruitment issues' 

Health consumers were particularly hit in the austerity years with out-of-pocket expenses.

Irish rugby fans in Japan may have been exposed to measles on public transport 

Irish fans following the national rugby team at the Rugby World Cup in Japan may have been exposed to measles, according to the HSE’s disease watchdog.

Now hospitals must cut 'tax on the sick' parking fees 

Hospitals that generate more than €22.4m a year from unpopular car parking charges are being forced to cut the cost of the service for patients and visitors.

Healthy start: Sabina welcomes breastfeeding mothers to Áras 

Breastfeeding advocate Sabina Higgins welcomed up to 100 mothers and new babies to Áras an Uachtaráin for an annual "latching on" event.

Patients lose out on pancreas transplants because of shortage in specialist cover 

Up to 12 patients desperate for a pancreas transplant have suffered the crushing disappointment of losing out on the vital operation because of a lack of medical cover.

Budget 2020 black hole: Missing millions forces Minister to dramatically scale back plans 

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is struggling to fill a gaping hole in the country’s finances ahead of next week’s ‘Brexit Budget’.

Probe over cancer link to breast implants 

An investigation is under way to find out if a woman's diagnosis with a rare blood cancer is linked to breast implants, it has emerged.

Memories: Year marked since death of Emma 

The family of the late Emma Mhic Mhathúna will mark the first anniversary of her tragic death today with prayers and a walk to the pier in her beloved Ballydavid in west Kerry.

Elderly putting their health at risk with lack of sleep 

One in seven older people is not getting enough sleep - leaving them at risk of a range of health problems.

'Chaotic' foster care services come under fire from watchdog 

The allocation of social workers to children in foster care in Carlow, Kilkenny and south Tipperary social services was "chaotic", an inspectors' report has revealed.

Simon Harris says he will never meet makers of e-cigarettes 

HEALTH Minister Simon Harris has ruled out meeting vaping companies ahead of legislation to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s.

Allocation of social workers to children in foster care in Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary 'chaotic' - new report 

THE allocation of social workers to children in foster care in Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary social services was “chaotic,” according to a new inspection report.

Private practice ban 'will have no effect on waiting lists' 

Orthopaedic surgeon Peter O'Rourke is among a dwindling number of hospital consultants who only treat public patients and has no private practice.

Cancer patients wait six months for scan 

Patients with cancer can wait for up to six months for a basic diagnostic procedure, the Oireachtas Health Committee was told yesterday.

Harris denies using taxpayers' funds for Rugby World Cup fliers 

Health Minister Simon Harris said he did not use taxpayers' money to fund leaflets which he sent to homes in his Wicklow constituency with Rugby World Cup match dates.

Consultants earn more than €1bn in three years to treat private patients 

Hospital consultants earned more than €1bn in fees for treating private patients over the past three years, according to figures obtained by the Irish Independent.

Hospital chiefs told 'balance the books' as HSE overrun hits €281m 

Patients and the public are to increasingly feel the impact of an instruction to health managers to "balance the books" as the HSE has sunk €281m into the red.

79 patients stuck in public hospital beds for six months due to lack of step-down supports 

The true scale of the hospital overcrowding crisis has been revealed in new figures showing scores of patients have been needlessly languishing in beds on public wards for at least six months.

Department of Health takes first steps in ending pay gap between hospital consultants 

The first steps towards ending the pay gap that leaves newly-recruited hospital consultants earning €50,000 less than longer-serving colleagues are to get under way.

People's willingness to pay for homecare under Government’s proposed statutory scheme highlighted 

People under 65 would be prepared to pay an average of €37 a week for homecare under the Government’s proposed statutory scheme, a new survey revealed today.

'Beyond unsustainable' - Nurses' union calls for Government to act as number of patients without beds hits 610 

Winter came early to hospitals today as 610 patients waited on trolleys for a bed.

Rollout of primary care centres 'will take another 20 years' 

It will take another 20 years for the full rollout of the network of 350 primary care centres, which are one-stop-shops for health services, the Comptroller and Auditor General has said.

Tender touch: Mums urged to encourage breast feeding 

New mothers have been urged to get to know their baby through skin-to-skin contact after birth in a bid to start breastfeeding.

Firm recalls allergy pens over fears of blocked needle 

A brand of auto-injector used to treat people who suffer a life-threatening allergic reaction has been recalled.

Inquiries ordered into CervicalCheck controversy 'cost over €1m' 

Inquiries ordered into the CervicalCheck controversy cost over €1m at the end of last year, according to the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Brand of auto-injector which may not activate in the case of a life-threatening allergic reaction is recalled 

A brand of auto-injector used to treat people who suffer a life-threatening allergic reaction has been recalled.

724 medically fit patients 'trapped' in hospitals as fears grow for flu season 

Overcrowded hospitals are being crippled by hundreds of patients who are occupying beds despite being medically fit to be discharged - as experts are predicting one of the most severe winter flu seasons in decades.

Patients 'should have digital health record from birth to death' 

Leading HSE managers, including hospital chiefs, have called for all patients to be given their own individual electronic health record, holding all their personal information which could last from birth to death.

Woman with brain condition left in 'unsuitable' ward for 10 months 

The family of a Dublin woman who has had to remain in a hospital ward for nearly 10 months are appealing to the HSE to fund her discharge to a suitable specialist centre.

8,000 women who received particular breast implant to be warned they are at risk of cancer 

Around 8,000 women who received a particular form of breast implant are to be contacted and warned they are at risk of a rare form of cancer.

Thousands of Irish women to be warned they are at risk of cancer due to breast implants 

AROUND 8,000 women who received a particular form of breast implant are to be warned they are at risk of a rare form of cancer.

Eilish O'Regan: 'Budget package will woo the family vote with free GP visits for 70,000 more children' 

The proposal to extend free GP care to under-eights would benefit around 70,000 more children.

Call to close gap in Fair Deal nursing home subsidies 

The average annual State subsidy for a resident of a HSE-run nursing home under the Fair Deal scheme is now €72,037.

Sushi audit found 90pc of restaurants had poor standards on hygiene 

Diners were left at risk of infection from raw frozen fish which was being defrosted at room temperature for sushi dishes, food safety inspectors revealed.

Audit of sushi production in Ireland found that 90pc of businesses fall short of health standards 

An audit of sushi production and processing facilities in Ireland has found 90pc of the businesses do not have adequate controls in place to safeguard human health.

Pharmacists warned they must follow a new code of conduct 

Pharmacists have been warned they need to meet the modern-day expectations of their two million customers annually.

Pressure grows for law to tackle sales of cheap alcohol 

The Government is set to come under increased pressure to introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol products here, following a new study today showing the measure in Scotland has been successful in reducing the amount of drink purchased.

Heart patients may face equipment delay after no-deal Brexit 

Patients with certain heart conditions and eye problems as well as doctors who need special surgical packs may be among the most vulnerable to risks from a no-deal Brexit, it emerged yesterday.

Safe care tops list of concerns as complaints against HSE reach 18,000 

Nearly 18,000 complaints were lodged against the health service last year with concerns about safe and effective care topping people's grievances.

Medicine supply risks post-Brexit 'cannot be ruled out' 

It is impossible to rule out all risks to the supply of medicines for patients here after Brexit, even with extensive preparations, health officials will warn today.

'I had to wait a year for gene test despite eight of my family being diagnosed with cancer' 

A Dublin woman who saw eight of her close relatives, including her mother and sister, diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer was forced to wait for a year to find out whether she was at risk too.

Snacking on nuts 'helps curb onset of obesity' as you get older 

Snacking on a handful of nuts, rather than biscuits or crisps, may help to ward off the weight gain that often accompanies ageing and is a relatively manageable way of helping to curb the onset of obesity, according to a new study published today.

More than 7,000 'vulnerable people' waiting for homecare 

The waiting list for HSE homecare has risen to 7,346 over the summer - up from 6,238 in March - new figures reveal.

'Harris questioned my integrity,' says woman at centre of smear test glitch 

The woman who helped expose a laboratory computer glitch behind the delay in thousands of CervicalCheck screening tests has broken her silence to reveal her ongoing upset and distress at the failure to provide her with proper answers.

Women with high blood pressure in pregnancy at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disorders 

Women with high blood pressure in pregnancy - including conditions such as pre-eclampsia - have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disorders later in life, including stroke and heart failure, new research has revealed.

Government's inability to cut waiting time for patients 'will cost lives' 

Thousands of patients on public waiting lists are at risk of a worse outcome or dying because of delayed treatment, a doctors' conference was told.

Flu outbreak 'would result in horrific overcrowding' 

Ireland is at risk of a virulent strain of 'Aussie flu' this winter, leaving hospitals facing the prospect of "horrific" levels of overcrowding, a doctors' conference was told yesterday.

One million patients on public waiting lists, doctors warn 

Doctors have warned that there are more than one million patients on some form of public waiting list.

Fair Deal nursing home scheme owed €144.6m in house sales proceeds 

The State is owed more than €144.6m from the estates of deceased nursing home residents who used the Fair Deal scheme to finance their care, figures reveal.

Supplier to 'by-pass UK' to deliver insulin in event of no-deal Brexit 

One of the main suppliers of insulin to diabetics in Ireland has said it will by-pass the UK to transport deliveries if there is a no-deal Brexit.

More than 10,000 over-75s faced 'inhumane' hospital trolley wait 

More than 10,400 elderly patients aged over 75 were forced to lie on hospital trolleys for longer than 24 hours because of a lack of beds so far this year.

Anti-abortion group plans six-week protest outside Holles Street 

The master of the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin has warned staff that an anti-abortion group plans to protest outside the building for six weeks.

Diners opt to eat healthier meals if calories on display 

A group of unsuspecting diners chose healthier meals when the menu's calorie count was posted next to the food's price, a new report reveals today.

Doctors to be disciplined if they over-prescribe addictive drugs 

The Medical Council has warned it will take disciplinary action against doctors who over-prescribe tranquillisers, sleeping tablets and pregabalin, an anti-seizure drug.

Overcrowded clinics lead to delays for women needing cervical tests 

Women referred for further investigation after getting an abnormal cervical screening result are not being seen within the recommended time because hospital clinics are overcrowded, health officials have said.

Advanced smear tests 'to be introduced early next year' 

CervicalCheck has said it hopes to introduce more advanced lab testing of smear tests - which would reduce the chances of abnormalities being missed - in the first three months of next year.

David Gunning appointed as chief officer to deliver new €1.7bn National Children’s Hospital 

A chief officer has been appointed to help deliver the new €1.7bn National Children’s Hospital.

Flying doctor: Drone delivers medication to Aran Islands patient 

History has been made with the first drone delivery of medication to the Aran Islands.

Slides remain missing for up to 30 cervical cancer patients 

Up to 30 women who developed cervical cancer, including relatives of one who is deceased, will receive either no report or only a partial finding from an independent review of their CervicalCheck slides because the originals remain missing, it was confirmed yesterday.

Free GP care 'extended to the under-eights next year' 

Children under eight years of age may be entitled to free GP care from the middle of next year - subject to funding and agreement with doctors, Health Minister Simon Harris has confirmed.

Cigarette vending machines in pubs, hotels to be banned 

Around 6,000 cigarette vending machines in pubs and hotels are to be outlawed by Health Minister Simon Harris.

Drone used to deliver insulin to Aran Islands 

A home-delivery service with a difference has seen a drone transport diabetes medication to the Aran Islands for the first time.

Rare heart disease: Mum of five believed she had flu 

Una Fahey was a busy mother of five sports-mad sons when she started to suffer what she believed were symptoms of flu.

Another nudge to customers that grocery shopping should not include alcohol 

The planned ban on alcohol purchases in return for supermarket loyalty card points is another attempt to "denormalise" drink from regular groceries.

Outpatient crisis deepens as 569,498 languish in queues to see a specialist 

The crisis in hospital outpatient waiting lists has deepened with a record 569,498 public patients now in queues to see a specialist across the country.

Alcohol crackdown: Cheap drink deals to take a hit and shoppers won't get loyalty points 

SUPERMARKET shoppers are to lose out on loyalty card points for purchases of alcohol under a new clampdown by the Government.

Record 569,498 patients waiting to see a specialist 

The number of public patients waiting to see a specialist has jumped to a new record with 569,498 now in hospital outpatient queues across the country.

'I considered turning down my doctorate over Harney handshake' 

Cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan has revealed how she thought of turning down an honorary doctorate from the University of Limerick (UL) because she would have to shake the hand of its chancellor, former health minister Mary Harney.

Bed-blocking forces HSE to offer 750 patients a Fair Deal place in nursing home 

Around 750 older people - many of them trapped in hospitals for weeks - are to be offered a nursing home place under the Fair Deal scheme.

Overusing antibiotics increases threat of sepsis, say specialists 

People should avoid taking "unnecessary antibiotics" in a bid to cut down on the risk of the life-threatening blood poisoning condition sepsis, public health specialists have warned.

'I almost turned down honorary doctorate because I'd have to shake Mary Harney's hand' - Vicky Phelan 

CANCER campaigner Vicky Phelan has revealed how she considered turning down an honorary doctorate from the University of Limerick because she would have to shake the hand of its chancellor - former health minister Mary Harney.

Eilish O'Regan: 'Now is the time to investigate how we can catch up with nations that have tackled this deadly disease with the greatest success' 

Ireland has made good progress in improving cancer survival but questions must be asked about why we still trail so many other countries.

CervicalCheck tests backlog falls but 26,000 women still waiting 

More than 26,000 women are still in the CervicalCheck backlog waiting for smear test results - although the number has fallen from 81,346 in March.

Survival rates rise for cancer victims but State remains in slow lane 

Cancer survival rates have significantly risen in Ireland in the last two decades - but they still lag behind the pace of improvements in a number of other high-income countries, a major study reveals today.

Hospital bed blocking hits new high as 769 patients left in limbo 

The number of hospital beds 'blocked' by patients who are fit to be discharged but are without step-down supports has soared to a record 769 over the summer.

Results of smear test reviews to be sent to more than 1,000 women 

Around 1,000 women who had cervical cancer are to get individual reports from next week telling them if a re-reading of their old test result is still the same or if abnormalities were missed.

A vulnerable child referred to Tusla every 10 minutes 

The agency tasked with looking after vulnerable children is being referred more than one case every 10 minutes.

Protein insight may lead to better diabetes control 

Obese patients who have type 2 diabetes may have better control of their disease due to naturally having a particular family of proteins, according to new research from Trinity College scientists.

Brexit-related stress is highest in Northern Ireland 

Families in Northern Ireland are suffering higher levels of Brexit-related stress than the rest of the UK, according to new research.

How taking one or two naps a week may lower your risk of having heart attack or stroke 

A daytime nap once or twice a week may lower the risk of having a heart attack or stroke, according to new research.

Surgery delays are 'cheating elderly out of precious time' 

Many older people in Ireland are being cheated out of precious time by having to endure long and painful delays on public waiting lists for a new hip or other surgery, according to the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO).

Social media giants called on to help stop 'anti-vaxxers' spreading misinformation 

Health Minister Simon Harris has written to social media giants inviting them to attend a summit to discuss how to clamp down on 'anti-vaxxers' who are spreading wrong information about vaccines.

Irish women warned: you are among worst in the world for drinking during pregnancy 

Women in Ireland are among the most likely in the world to unintentionally harm their unborn baby by drinking alcohol during pregnancy, the HSE will warn today.

HSE to avoid UK land transport to deliver flu jab for 'virulent' strain 

The HSE will no longer use the UK as a land bridge for deliveries of flu vaccine and other life-saving jabs from October 31 when a hard Brexit may be in place, it was confirmed yesterday.