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Tuesday 30 May 2023 Dublin: 8°C

# Healthcare

Last week
21st May 2023 - 27th May 2023
# roster tensions
Explainer: Why are HSE bosses calling for a ‘permanent’ seven-day roster for hospital staff?
The HSE has said it wants to avoid a “substantial impact” of overcrowding on hospitals.
# graduation
25 Ukrainian doctors graduate from English course run by St. Vincent’s Hospital
The 8-week course was delivered by a Ukrainian lecturer in response to the significant language barrier faced by Ukrainian doctors arriving in Ireland.
# 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
# Codeine
Waiting lists and shortage of pain specialists blamed for dependency on codeine painkillers
Over 1.1 million prescriptions for codeine-based products were issued last year.
# Healthcare
Patient Safety Bill, which aims to create 'culture' of transparency, signed into law
The Bill will require healthcare providers to disclose certain serious safety incidents to patients or their families.
Last month
April 2023
# Healthcare
Patient Safety Bill long-sought by campaigners passes final stages in Oireachtas
The bill will require healthcare providers to disclose certain serious safety incidents where there previously was no obligation.
# Healthcare
Five years on: First review of Ireland's abortion laws recommends significant changes
The review recommends 10 changes to current legislation and 60 operational changes in relation to termination services and laws.
The review recommends that the required three-day waiting period to access a termination should no longer be mandatory and should instead be at the woman's own discretion.
It also found that there is an "uneven geographic coverage" of service providers across the country, which requires some women to travel for longer periods at significant cost.
Cabinet has agreed to refer the recommendations to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health for consideration.
Abortion review to be published tomorrow as Taoiseach criticised for 'reluctance' to update laws
Varadkar 'reluctant' to make changes after review of state's abortion laws seeks end to three-day wait
# Healthcare
Hospitals and EDs 'don't hold all solutions to overcrowding', Donnelly tells committee
The health minister acknowledged that waiting lists for scheduled care increased by nearly 60% between 2015 and 2021.
# Healthcare
Abortion review to be published tomorrow as Taoiseach criticised for 'reluctance' to update laws
A review of Ireland’s abortion legislation came before Cabinet this morning.
# Healthcare
In-patient fees for public hospitals scrapped from today
Patients could previously be charged up to €80 per day, with a cap of €800 per year.
# vivienne murphy
Parents of girl who died of Strep A 'begging' parents and doctors to be vigilant about illness
Vivienne Murphy died in March 2019 after contracting the illness.
# Strike
England's NHS set for 'most disruptive industrial action' in history as junior doctors strike
Up to a quarter of a million appointments could be postponed, according to the NHS Confederation.
Voices
Opinion: Older people being cared for on trolleys rather than beds is an all-year-round issue
RCSI’s Dr Seamus Cowman looks at the issues around the healthcare of older people in this country.
# Healthcare
Mandatory mask wearing in hospitals to end on 19 April
Staff and visitors are still advised to wear masks around patients who are confirmed or suspected to have Covid-19.
This year
2023
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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
A report by
Niall Sargent
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
A report by
Tadgh McNally
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