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exclusive How €216k role was created for civil servant on secondment to university

An academic role was specifically created for a former secretary-general at the Department of Education to go on secondment, while still being paid his salary of €215,998.

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HSE urged to secure vaccines as first monkeypox case confirmed in North

The HSE needs to secure supplies of the smallpox vaccine and administer it to targeted groups as a protection against the monkeypox virus, a leading infectious disease consultant warned yesterday.

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First three months of the year among the ‘worst’ for hospitals coping with patient influx and Covid-19 infection control measures

The first three months of the year have been among the “worst” for hospitals coping with an influx of patients and infection control measures for Covid-19, HSE chief Paul Reid said today.

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Number of mystery cases of liver damage among children rises to eight

The number of probable cases of mystery hepatitis in children – which has led to one death and to another child needing a liver transplant – has risen from six to eight since March.

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Scrapping hospital charges could see thousands dropping their health insurance

Government plans to scrap hospital inpatient and outpatient charges next year could prompt thousands of people on low-cost health insurance plans to drop their cover.

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Army camp could be used as a ‘last resort’ to house refugees from Ukraine

The accommodation crisis for Ukrainian refugees may force the Government to house them at an army camp.

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Medical scientists call off strike to enter talks on pay at Labour Court

Tens of thousands of patients are being spared major disruption today as striking medical scientists enter exploratory pay talks, but some cancellations of inpatient and day case surgery cannot be avoided.

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Fears over ‘worrying’ new drugs being sold at festivals

Festival-goers have been warned of a rise in illicit high-strength drugs with psychoactive substances “being mis-sold as MDMA pills or crystal, cocaine and cannabis”.

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Drop in number of foods fortified with folic acid to protect babies from birth defects

The number of foods sold in Ireland which are fortified with folic acid to help protect babies from birth defects such as spina bifida has fallen significantly since 2004, a new study has revealed.

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Covid Ireland: two more cases of BA.4 variant of concern identified

The more infectious BA.4 Covid variant of concern is gaining ground here with another two cases detected here.

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Parents in Cork invited to sign up for new research into how to understand baby sleep and crying patterns

Expectant parents in Cork are being invited to sign up to take part in new research into how to understand their baby’s sleep and crying patterns as well as future solutions to colic and other conditions.

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Monkeypox virus ‘amplified by sex’ at two raves in Europe, says leading WHO adviser

A leading adviser to the World Health Organisation described the unprecedented outbreak of monkeypox in developed countries as “a random event” that might be explained by sexual behaviour at two recent raves in Europe.

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New Covid-19 variant will increase cases but will not be more severe

Missed summer weddings, parties and other social outings may be the price of another rise in Covid-19 as a new, more infectious variant BA.4 arrives in Ireland, experts warned yesterday.

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At least 150 newborn children not diagnosed for life threatening rare diseases over the past three years

At least 150 newborn children have not been diagnosed or treated for life threatening rare diseases over the past three years because of the Government’s failure to expand the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme, it was claimed today.

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Up to 67 monkeypox cases detected in EU countries as disease watchdog calls for vigilance

Public health authorities in EU countries, including Ireland, need to remain vigilant for cases of monkeypox with 67 infections now reported in the region, Europe’s disease watchdog warned today.

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Covid-19 BA.4 sub-variant: Everything you need to know about the new strain in Ireland

It was only a matter of time before it was detected here and like previous variants it is likely to have been circulating for some time.

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Worried families contacted watchdog over fears for their loved ones’ safety during pandemic

Worried relatives felt compelled to complain to a safety watchdog about a patient whose five calls to hospital staff to use the toilet went unheeded and another who it was claimed lost weight and was “not eating” as Ireland battled Covid-19 late last year.

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Irish cancer patients less likely to given 'fresh hope' as we lag behind other countries in clinical trials

Irish patients are less likely to be given the fresh hope offered by taking part in a clinical trial testing new treatments for illnesses such as cancer than those in other similar countries.

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All hospital inpatient and outpatient fees to be dropped next year

All hospital inpatient and outpatient charges are set to be scrapped next year – saving patients up to €30m annually, the Irish Independent can reveal.

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As more countries investigate the first cases of monkeypox, what do we know about the virus?

More cases of the monkeypox virus were reported yesterday, with Canada saying it was investigating as many as 12 people who might be infected.

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Teens see slower rise in cancer survival rates than other age groups

Adolescents and young adults with cancer in Ireland are not seeing the same increase in survival rates for the disease as children and older groups, it emerged yesterday.

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Watchdog receives more than 20,000 reports of side effects from Covid vaccine

The Irish medicines’ watchdog has received 20,182 reports of suspected side effects of Covid-19 vaccines here since they started to be rolled out in late 2020, a new report revealed yesterday.

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Cystic Fibrosis Ireland says 35 children are excluded from accessing life-changing therapy amid pricing issue

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland has expressed its deep concern that 35 children with cystic fibrosis (CF) aged between six and 11 years have been excluded from accessing the life-changing CF drug therapy, Kaftrio.

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Monkeypox virus is spreading abroad – how concerned should we be?

Health services in Ireland are preparing for the possible arrival in Ireland of the monkeypox virus.

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Increase in doctors, dentists and pharmacists seeking help for stress, anxiety and burnout, report finds

The number of doctors, dentists and pharmacists seeking help for stress, anxiety and burnout increased by a third last year, a new report reveals today.

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Backlog in test results due to scientists’ strike

The turnaround for patient test results is expected to face further delays today and tomorrow due to a backlog built up during yesterday’s strike by medical scientists.

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Controlling blood pressure, diabetes in mid-life could reduce risk of dementia

Controlling blood pressure and diabetes in mid-life may reduce the risk of developing dementia, Irish-led research has revealed.

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HSE issues alert for certain Aroma King e-cigarettes advising public not to use them

The public is being asked by the HSE to stop using certain e-cigarettes from the Aroma King range of disposable electronic cigarettes which are non-compliant with EU tobacco legislation.

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HSE asked for controversial ‘clinically appropriate’ phrase in NMH deal, chief executive Paul Reid says

The phrase “clinically appropriate” was inserted into documents relating to the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) at the request of the HSE in order to “future proof” it for obstetric and related services, HSE chief executive Paul Reid said today.

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Another seven possible cases of unexplained hepatitis in young children are under investigation

Another seven possible cases of unexplained hepatitis in young children are under investigation in addition to the six already diagnosed, HSE chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said today.