Journalists

Number of children waiting to see specialist for more than 18 months hits record high 

The number of children enduring a wait of more than a year-and-a-half to see a specialist has breached 10,000 for the first time.

'Bureaucracy gone mad' - top psychiatrist and son of former president quits HSE 

The son of former President Patrick Hillery has resigned from his post as a psychiatrist in the HSE in protest at the state of mental health services which left him "ethically compromised".

'Not compulsory' for HSE staff to attend Scally probe 

The HSE is not making it compulsory for its staff to give evidence to the Scally scoping inquiry investigating the CervicalCheck scandal.

Drug that shrank Vicky's tumour should be made available to all - leading oncologists 

Two leading oncologists are calling for wider access to a drug which cervical cancer sufferer Vicky Phelan revealed had reduced her tumours.

Doctors' €72,000 pay hike but will their patients benefit? 

Hospital consultants who are on course for a pay rise of up to €72,000 will finally get the salaries they signed up to a decade ago under a so called "new era" work contract.

Children 'left at risk' by Tusla shortcomings 

The cases of 65 children who were allegedly sexually abused had to be escalated for further investigation on the instructions of inspectors sent in to probe Tusla.

State watchdog says nursing home complaints have doubled 

The number of complaints about private nursing homes has more than doubled in the space of a year, the Ombudsman's latest annual report reveals.

Children at risk of sexual abuse left in danger by serious weaknesses in social services - damning report 

Children in danger of sexual abuse are being left at risk by serious weaknesses in social services, a damning report revealed today.

Addicts lose sight of normal relationships 

The decision of the World Heath Organisation to designate gaming addiction as a mental health disorder will help those for whom the activity is causing them to neglect other areas of their life, a leading psychiatrist has claimed.

Tusla 'doesn't work efficiently with gardaí in abuse probes' 

A probe into Tusla's management of child abuse cases has found that the Child and Family Agency does not work efficiently with gardaí.

Hospital consultants to get pay-rises of up to €72k in windfall 

Thousands of hospital consultants are to get a €200m back-money windfall.

HSE chief blames doctors for sufferers being left in the dark 

The acting head of the HSE blamed doctors for not passing on audits to women who developed cervical cancer after getting an incorrect smear test.

Elderly endure terror of neglect and abuse by their own children 

The number of elderly people subjected to neglect and psychological and financial exploitation at the hands of their own children is on the rise.

CervicalCheck crisis toll set to grow as 46 more cases examined 

The tragic toll of women who developed cervical cancer after receiving a wrong smear test result is set to rise again, after it emerged that an audit of 46 more cases notified to CervicalCheck is under way.

CervicalCheck facing surge of claims from women who developed cancer after smear test all-clear 

CervicalCheck is facing a surge in legal actions from women who developed cervical cancer after wrongly getting a smear test all-clear , it emerged today.

Almost 50pc of Irish people describe themselves as overweight or obese 

We are fatter than we think - although nearly half of us say we are either overweight or obese.

Watchdog warns care of suicidal children needs to be improved 

Ombudsman for Children Niall Muldoon said he is concerned at the care of suicidal children.

Public list of GPs providing abortion 'now likely' 

A public list of GPs who are registered to provide medical abortions may be necessary to ensure women looking for a termination are not left confused about where to get the service, it emerged yesterday.

Private eyes are on the trail of doctors instead of cheating husbands 

They are more usually found snooping on cheating husbands or checking out dodgy personal injury claims - but earlier this year private detectives were covertly tracking the movements of some of our leading hospital consultants.

Sinn Féin defends hospital consultants in patients row 

A Sinn Féin TD who previously deplored the "culture of deference" to hospital consultants who breach their public contract has now described the decision to put a private detective on them as "disturbing".

Vasectomy funds for year spent by March, warns GP 

The funding to provide vasectomies has already been used up in some parts of the country, despite the Government's promise to extend measures to prevent crisis pregnancies.

'No security of tenure' for nursing home residents 

Nursing homes should not be allowed to ask an elderly resident to leave, even if their relatives are proving difficult to deal with, Ombudsman Peter Tyndall has warned.

Treatment of anorexia patients was unsafe, report finds 

Some of the care and treatment of seriously physically ill patients with anorexia nervosa admitted to the Lois Bridges treatment facility in Sutton, Dublin, was inadequate and unsafe, according to an inspector's report.

Probe into hearing expert's work will now involve 1,000 children 

A probe into an audiologist who left children with severe hearing problems struggling to learn and be understood is to be extended with a review involving 1,000 youngsters.

Number of Irish women going to UK for abortions fell in 2017 

More than 2,570 women from the Republic of Ireland had abortions in the UK last year up to the 12th week of pregnancy.

Some of care and treatment in centre for eating disorders was 'inadequate and unsafe' - watchdog 

Some of the care and treatment of seriously physically ill residents with anorexia nervosa admitted to the Lois Bridges treatment facility in Sutton, Dublin was inadequate and unsafe, according to a watchdog report.

'Games being played' over release of CervicalCheck files 

A grieving husband is furious at delays in the release of information relating to victims of the CervicalCheck scandal.

Here's how quickly a car gets dangerously hot in the sun - and it's faster than you'd think 

Cars parked in the sun on a hot day can reach dangerously high temperatures in just one hour, a new study has revealed.

Overwhelmed A&E consultants plead for beds as 430 patients on trolleys and they warn crisis will get worse 

A&E consultants who were faced with 430 patients on trolleys today pleaded: ‘Where are the new hospital beds’?

Sex abuse children hurt by investigation delays - report 

Some children who have been sexually abused are being further traumatised by having to undergo multiple interviews, a damning report has revealed.

How vitamin tablets could be hurting your health 

More is not better when it comes to taking vitamin pills, a watchdog has warned.

BowelScreen made secret compensation payout to cancer patient 

A secret compensation payout has already been made by the BowelScreen service arising out of a failed investigation procedure, it was learned yesterday.

GPs warn of potential errors with abortion scans service 

Ultrasound machines used by GPs to examine women seeking a medical abortion need to be reliable, otherwise there is a risk of a reading error similar to mistakes made by CervicalCheck, a leading GP has warned.

Chemo 'not needed' by 70pc of women with breast cancer 

Thousands of breast cancer patients may be safely spared gruelling chemotherapy following a landmark study.

Grandad in plea after autistic boy's hospital ordeal 

A devoted grandfather and his special-needs grandson have had to spend the week in Tallaght Hospital A&E department in a desperate bid to secure respite care for the teenager.

CervicalCheck scandal victims dismayed at slow pace of support by HSE 

The slow roll-out of the Government's package of supports for victims of the CervicalCheck scandal is causing further distress to women and families, it emerged yesterday.

Fake nails and polish are 'not a patient risk'- study 

Women who use nail polish and false nails can heave a sigh of relief as new research shows they do not affect readings from devices used to monitor patients' blood oxygen levels in hospital.

Festival goers warned of high dose batches of ecstasy following deaths in UK 

Festival goers have been warned there are high dose batches of ecstasy and MDMA in circulation.

Many hospitals failing to take precautions against killer superbug 

Many hospitals are failing to implement key safety measures to protect patients from a potential killer superbug.

Health Minister in spotlight over Sláintecare plan failures 

The poor record of Health Minister Simon Harris was highlighted yesterday as the failure to act on Sláintecare, the blueprint to improve the health service, was criticised.

Exodus of carers leaves elderly without supports 

More than 6,400 elderly and disabled people are now on waiting lists for HSE home supports as the service faces a crisis due to an exodus of carers.

Birth certs are denied to 46 adults who were adopted 

Up to 46 adults who were adopted have been refused access to their birth certificate in recent years - despite pledges to provide automatic access to this personal information.

Varadkar and Harris under fire over cancer victim's court ordeal 

Promises by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Health Minister Simon Harris not to "drag" victims of the CervicalCheck scandal through the courts have been called into question amid allegations of an "aggressive" legal approach to terminally ill Emma Mhic Mhathúna.

CervicalCheck 'stalls in releasing records to victims of scandal' 

CervicalCheck has been accused of continuing to stall in releasing the medical records of women at the centre of the cancer scandal.

Three maternal deaths recorded in hospitals last year 

Three maternal deaths were recorded last year, including two in maternity units and one case in a general hospital.

Revealed: Binge-drinking behind a third of weekend A&E visits 

Binge-drinking revellers and the victims of other people's booze-filled actions are clogging up A&E departments at weekends, a new study has revealed.

CervicalCheck cancer reviews still not given to some women 

Some of the 209 women who developed cervical cancer after getting an incorrect smear test have still not received a copy of the CervicalCheck internal review confirming the mistake, the Irish Independent has learned.

Eilish O’Regan: Swift law-change under threat from service shortfalls 

The swift rollout of planned abortion legislation is at risk of being hindered by shortfalls in the wider health service, it emerged yesterday.

Children's diets now healthier in Ireland than many EU countries 

Irish children's eating habits are now closer to the famed Mediterranean diet than those of youngsters in Spain and Greece, who are the most obese in Europe.

Search for smear-test victim in Ukraine 

A woman living in the Ukraine, who developed cervical cancer after getting a wrong smear test from CervicalCheck, remains untraced after a month-long search by the HSE.

BreastCheck screening has duty of candour 

A lack of candour and openness were revealed in our national cancer screening service again this week. The focus shifted from CervicalCheck to BreastCheck and its failure to directly contact women who it was notified developed the disease in the two years after getting a clear mammogram X-ray.

€10m art house charity recorded no income for a decade - but received public donations 

The company behind a €10m art house cinema in Galway recorded "no income" over 10 years although it was receiving public donations, a watchdog report has revealed.

Plan will lead to 'abortion on demand', claim GPs 

More than 120 GPs from around the country have warned that the Government proposals to liberalise the grounds for termination of pregnancy will amount to "abortion on demand".

Prof Shane Higgins to be next master of National Maternity Hospital 

The next master of the National Maternity Hospital will be consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Prof Shane Higgins.

Smear probe 'needed to boost public confidence' 

The number of misread CervicalCheck smear tests among women who developed cervical cancer has been described as "worrying" by medical scientists.

Women diagnosed with cancer after all-clear not told of test error reviews by BreastCheck 

Women diagnosed with cancer after getting the all-clear from BreastCheck are not being directly informed about internal reviews showing their mammogram X-ray was incorrectly read.

Cancer service sends 're-check' tests back to lab that made error 

CervicalCheck is sending back smear tests for "re-check" to the same laboratory where the mistake was made, the Irish Independent has learned.

How folic acid laws would cut birth defect levels here 

Failure to introduce mandatory fortification of foods such as bread with folic acid has contributed to the high number of babies who develop birth defects, including fatal foetal abnormalities.

Hospital staff 'free to snoop on confidential files' 

Hospital staff are free to snoop on confidential patient records, a damning report has highlighted.

Revealed: Promotion for HSE boss who was criticised for her role in cancer scandal 

The HSE executive overseeing CervicalCheck and who failed to track if women with cancer were told they were the victim of a wrong test result has been promoted.

Vicky Phelan: 'I am voting Yes for the women of Ireland' 

Vicky Phelan, who is calling for a Yes vote in next week's referendum on the Eighth Amendment, has revealed how, when she was pregnant with her daughter, she was informed of the option of abortion after having a pre-natal test.

Doctors' objections known long before case 

CervicalCheck was warned six months before the recent Vicky Phelan court case that doctors were objecting to having to inform patients with cervical cancer that they were the victim of a smear test mistake.

Live Documents reveal CervicalCheck knew months ago that women weren't being told of smear test mistakes 

CervicalCheck was warned last September about the resistance of hospital doctors to hand over reports to women with cervical cancer telling them they were the victim of a wrong smear result.

'Fair and reasonable' - Chief medical officer defends decision not to alert Simon Harris to CervicalCheck audit in 2016 

THE country’s chief medical officer has said it was a “fair and reasonable decision” not to alert the Health Minister to the CervicalCheck audit in 2016.

Doctors struggling as free healthcare for under-sixes leads to surge in GP visits - study 

DOCTORS have had to struggle with a surge in visits by under-sixes since the children were given free GP care nearly three years ago, a new study confirmed today.

Cervical cancer scandal: Death toll revised to 18 amid search for more victims 

Another of the women who developed cancer after getting a wrong smear test result has died.

US lab contracted by CervicalCheck to carry out standard screening only - with higher potential for error 

The US laboratory which mistakenly gave Vicky Phelan the all-clear said it was contracted by CervicalCheck to only carry out standard screening of smear tests and not a more advanced investigation which has a lower failure rate.

Summer warning: Parents urged to check their gardens for these hidden hazards 

The good weather is a great chance to get children off the sofa and into the garden.

4,300 women still await callback from CervicalCheck 

More than 4,300 women who rang the CervicalCheck helpline are still in the queue to be called back - two weeks after the scandal erupted.

Number on outpatient waiting list soars to a record high of 507,507 

The number of public patients on outpatient waiting lists has reached another record, with 507,507 now in the queue to see a specialist.

Seven given wrong results still not contacted as efforts continue to trace woman living in Russia 

EFFORTS are ongoing to trace a woman who is living in Russia who developed cervical cancer after getting an incorrect smear test result from CervicalCheck, it has emerged.

Pregnancies terminated due to Down syndrome diagnosis 'remain low' 

The number of pregnancies terminated because of a Down syndrome diagnosis is still very low, the chairman of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said yesterday.

Harris criticised for 'appearing to laugh' 

Health Minister Simon Harris was taken to task by pro-life Senator Rónán Mullen yesterday for appearing to laugh after he was asked when he would take part in debates on the abortion referendum.

Judge alarmed as 127 consultants not specially trained 

One in every 23 doctors in consultant posts in Irish public hospitals does not have specialist training.

More than half of Down Syndrome pregnancies terminated after tests, claims Holles Street boss 

More than half of pregnant women in the country's three main maternity hospitals who are told their babies will be born with Down Syndrome are opting for a termination.

The areas in Ireland which carry a radon gas risk - the gas that leaves residents at risk of lung cancer 

Some areas within counties Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Wexford, Kilkenny, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Clare and Galway are a radon gas risk, according to a new assessment.

Who is the doctor leading the scoping inquiry into the cervical cancer screening scandal and what will he be examining? 

Dr Gabriel Scally, the Belfast-born, former NHS doctor who is to carry out a scoping inquiry into CervicalCheck arrived in Ireland today and has started work.

'We're sorry' - Thousands of women still waiting for callback from CervicalCheck helpline 

The Health Service Executive has apologised to the thousands of women yet to receive a callback after phoning the CervicalCheck helpline.

Explainer: 11 days on ... what happens next for women concerned about cervical cancer scandal? 

It's been 11 days since the CervicalCheck scandal and many vital questions still remain. Our Health Correspondent Eilish O'Regan answers your questions.

Revealed: Contract to carry out vital cervical cancer screening awarded for 'lowest price' 

The contract to carry out cervical smear tests on behalf of the State was awarded in 2012 based on the cheapest price available, tender documents suggest.

BreastCheck failing to meet targets on bringing women back for scans 

BreastCheck, which provides free mammograms to women to pick up breast cancer, has refused to say if it has internal reports on patients who went on to develop the disease after the scan.

Open disclosure will apply only in 'serious' cases 

Proposed legislation to make open disclosure of adverse incidents mandatory will only cover "serious" cases.

Damning report highlights litany of failures at maternity hospital 

There were "significant failings" in the care provided to four babies who died in Portiuncula University Hospital, according to a damning review of 18 maternity cases over which concerns were raised in a seven-year period.

Free smear tests and GP visits being made available for all women to alleviate cancer fears 

Any woman who wants to have a cervical smear test will be entitled to have one free of charge at a GP surgery or clinic.

'We're glad we've held HSE to account' - parents who lost two daughters in Portiuncula hospital 

There were “significant failings” in the care provided to four babies who died in Portiuncula University Hospital  (PUH), according to a review of 18 maternity cases about which concerns were raised over a seven year period.

Lack of training, incorrect use of drug and failure to disclose mistakes to patients uncovered by report into Portiuncula maternity services 

A litany of care failings have emerged in an investigation of the care of 18 babies who died or were born with a disability in a Galway hospital.

New test 'will be more accurate, reliable' 

A new, more accurate smear test is to be introduced next autumn, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed yesterday.

Head of screening service still in post despite Varadkar's claim in the Dáil 

The head of the HSE's national screening service, Charles O'Hanlon, remains in his post despite a senior HSE director being appointed to oversee the programme that includes CervicalCheck, it was claimed last night.

Smear test scandal: Taoiseach promises compensation for women whose cancer diagnosis was delayed 

THERE will be a redress scheme for women who have been hit by the cervical cancer test scandal – but payments must await the result of a statutory inquiry, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.

Explainer: What happens next for women in Ireland concerned about cervical cancer scandal? 

As more details emerge in the the growing health cervical cancer controversy, our Health Correspondent, Eilish O'Regan, looks at what happens next.

'How did things get so bad?' - 1,500 more women may be affected by cancer test scandal 

AS many as 1,500 more women are at risk of being dragged into the continually escalating cervical cancer scandal.

Breast and bowel tests now under scrutiny as public fear screening 

The national cancer screening programmes aiming to reduce some of our biggest killers are under pressure after criticism about how they are run.

US company used by CervicalCheck had to pay €100,000 in fines over safety breach 

Quest Diagnostics, the company in New Jersey that analyses smear tests for CervicalCheck, had to pay out more than €100,000 in penalties for failure to protect employees from hazardous chemicals used in laboratories.

Revealed: Memo to Harris on cancer test scandal advised he acknowledge Vicky Phelan's 'severe distress' once case settled 

A BRIEFING note prepared for the health minister ahead of Vicky Phelan’s case coming before the High Court suggested he acknowledge her "severe distress" once the court action was settled.

Vicky Phelan's solicitor puts pressure on Health Minister to show memo on cervical cancer scandal 

Health Minister Simon Harris is going to come under intense pressure this afternoon to publish a memo he received two weeks ago on the cervical cancer scandal.

Is there something I should be doing about my cervical smear test? All your questions answered 

It has been an emotional week for women who have developed cancer after being through CervicalCheck, the national screening service.

17 women dead - and only two knew of misdiagnoses 

A TOTAL of 15 women who developed cervical cancer died without knowing they had been the victim of a misdiagnosis.

Cancer scandal: The unanswered questions 

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has committed to a public inquiry to investigate failings in the CercvicalCheck screening programme. Independent.ie's Health Correspondent Eilish O'Regan looks at some of the questions that remain unanswered.

'We said this weight will kill us and we have a young son' - Amazing transformation photos of couple who lost 15 stone 

A Dublin couple who each tipped the scales at over 20 stone have told how weight loss surgery has transformed their lives.

'I am sorry that recent events caused distress and worry' - CervicalCheck's Clinical Director resigns 

The most senior doctor in CervicalCheck  has stepped down in the wake of strong criticism over the handling of cases of women who developed cervical cancer after being wrongly given the all-clear.

State will pay for repeat smear tests for women, Health Minister confirms 

Women whose doctors feel they need further smear tests will have the procedure facilitated and paid for by CervicalCheck, it has been confirmed.

Helpline for women concerned about cervical screening results opens after 'technical glitch' 

A helpline set up for women concerned about their cervical screening result is now fully operational after a 'technical glitch' led to a delay this morning.

Clinics draft in more nurses to cope with demand for tests following Vicky Phelan case 

CLINICS are set to increase the number of nurses available amid a sharp rise in the number of women seeking tests in the aftermath of the Vicky Phelan case.

Charity's €51k credit card spend not adequately accounted for: watchdog 

A gay rights group that allowed charitable funds to be used to support its founder's political campaign also spent another €51,174 with credits cards "which was not adequately supported with itemised receipts or invoices", the charity watchdog has revealed.

G.L.E.N investigation: charity funds used to support founder's Seanad bid, €50k credit card spend not properly accounted for - report 

The gay rights’ group G.L.E.N  allowed charitable funds to be used to support its founder’s political campaign and spent another €51,174 with credits cards which was not properly accounted for, a damning report from the charity watchdog revealed today.