Health
Patient was given antiseptic to drink instead of water
A critically ill patient was mistakenly given an antiseptic mouthwash to drink instead of water while receiving treatment in intensive care.
Explainer: How the 'less than' symbol caused a nationwide HSE software glitch
The HSE has hit headlines after thousands of people may be affected by a software glitch which saved incorrect medical records.
Care workers hit out at roster changes that will see 'back-door pay cuts' and 'more assaults'
Care workers have hit out at upcoming roster changes, claiming the overhaul will undermine pay restorations and endanger staff members’ safety.
Any patients who may be affected by HSE software glitch 'will be contacted immediately'
Any patients that may have been affected by a HSE software glitch will be "contacted immediately", according to the HSE national clinical advisor for...
Patients told to stop using 'Dr Google' and go to GP
Irish doctors have warned people against using 'Doctor Google' and have said online medical services should be avoided.
Millions of elderly are 'needlessly' being given statins
Statins are being needlessly prescribed to millions of people simply because of their age, the Royal College of GPs in the UK has warned.
Discovery of fat 'switch' fuels hopes of a cure for obesity
Scientists have discovered the precise brain mechanism that causes the body to hold onto fat, raising hopes of a cure for obesity.
'I'm broken-hearted' - Dad (70) in plea for help after taking protection order against adult son with mental health problems
A 70-year-old man whose son has mental health problems has said he is "broken-hearted" after...
Exclusive: 'Fairer Deal' for farmers blocked - warning on 'special' deal over nursing homes
A special deal to slash nursing home costs for farmers is in jeopardy following a dramatic intervention by the Office of the Attorney...
Woman due to receive 'life-saving drug' for Hepatitis C told funding 'suspended' two days before treatment
A woman who was due to receive potential life-saving drugs for Hepatitis C was told with just...
Alzheimer's find will help personalised treatment
Changes to proteins in blood and spinal fluid could help doctors predict the fate of Alzheimer's patients, research shows.
'The health service is a mess' - Father (44) dies after 'hour-long ambulance wait'
A father-of-two in his 40s who died after suffering a cardiac arrest was forced to wait more than an hour for an ambulance, it has been claimed.
Boy (9) with cerebral palsy forced to travel across border for vital treatment after 'admin error' on HSE waiting list
A young boy with cerebral palsy was forced to travel to Belfast for vital treatment, after he...
'It gave me no pleasure but it had to be done' - Whistleblower on why he reported Irish charity
A whistleblower who first highlighted financial and governance issues at Ataxia Ireland said it gave him no pleasure to see the publication of a damning...
Talks under way to end row over funding nine new drugs
Talks are now under way to resolve the row over funding nine new advanced drugs for which thousands of patients are waiting to treat a range of conditions.
Maternal death is an 'every day risk' - Mahony
National Maternity Hospital master Dr Rhona Mahony has acknowledged the tragic death of Malak Thawley, saying "every day we deliver women of their babies this awful potential is a possibility".
Irish charity wrongly paid €84k to two former trustees... who were CEO's parents
An investigation into a charity for people with a serious brain condition has found it wrongly made payments of €84,009 to two former trustees.
Controversial call to scrap 'complete the course' guideline for antibiotics
Traditional medical advice recommending that patients always finish a course of antibiotics should be dropped, according to two leading infectious disease experts.
Potentially deadly superbug found in 17 hospitals
A potentially deadly 'superbug' - resistant to many antibiotics - was found in 17 hospitals in the first three months of the year, according to a new report.
Children's hospital faces further building setback
The construction of the long-delayed National Children's Hospital at the campus of St James's Hospital in Dublin has been delivered yet another setback which could delay the planned 2021...
Only one out of promised 35 primary care centres has opened
Just one of the 35 primary care centres pledged by former health minister James Reilly five years ago is operational, it emerged yesterday.
Residents of care centre were wrongly billed - Hiqa
Residents of a centre for people with an intellectual disability were wrongly billed for the cost of specialised chairs, fire-proofed curtains and a medical aid worth €2,000, an inspectors' report...
Thousands of Irish patients forced to go abroad for treatment which could be delivered here
The HSE is paying for thousands of Irish patients on waiting lists to go abroad when they could be treated in private hospitals in this country, it...
Hospital bill for treating morbid obesity soars above €1m as 'fat crisis' worsens
The number of people getting treatment in public hospitals for morbid obesity is on the increase as the bill for care jumped to more than €1m last...
Stronger safeguards for older people from exorbitant top-up charges are long overdue
We should have reached the point where Ireland is a great place to grow old. However, the most recent Global AgeWatch Index - which measures...
'Eating for two' myth risks harming mother and baby
Pregnant women who believe in the "eating for two" myth risk harming themselves and their babies, experts have warned.
Irish children risk losing life-changing drug as HSE won't reimburse it
The company that produces the drug Vimizim, which costs €400,000 a year for an adult, has said it will appeal the HSE's decision not to reimburse it.
How new 'contract of care' will protect elderly from financial abuse
New safeguards are on the way to protect nursing home residents from potential financial abuse, including those who are paying controversial top-up fees.
Irish death rate from melanoma higher than Spain
The death rate from the most dangerous form of skin cancer is higher in Ireland than in sunspots such as Spain and Italy, a new report has revealed.
Children hit by wait of 18 months for heart clinic
Children with serious heart conditions are now having to wait 18 months to see a specialist at an outpatient clinic, a leading paediatric cardiologist has warned.
Fears over foster care safeguards
An inspection of foster care services in Cork found that nearly half of carers had not been reviewed in three years.
Hospitals short on doctors, but not of bosses - Mahony
The master of the National Maternity Hospital, Dr Rhona Mahony, has hit out at the difficulties she faces hiring more doctors and other front-line staff while the number of HSE managers escalates.
Front line workers in the health service are 'becoming scared to practice medicine' - Dr Rhona Mahony
THE Master of the National Maternity Hospital has warned that frontline workers in the health service are “becoming scared to practice medicine”
'Get advice, go to an expert and put the problem to bed' - New website aims to get men to look after their health
A new website is urging men to take as much care of their body as they would their car.
Revealed: Top complaints about Irish dentists
A distressed patient, who had to undergo blood tests after their dentist discovered a mouth mirror was not properly disinfected, was among 23 people who received refunds under a mediation scheme...
Don't fear catching bugs from seagulls - Harris
Dive-bombing seagulls with their piercing cries may be upsetting residents of north Dublin - but the public should remain unruffled about their risk of infection.
Charlie Weston: Time to end this expensive 'trickery'
Fear of change and the deliberate targeting of younger customers by health insurers are combining to cost older people a fortune.
Health insurers accused of forcing elderly to pay more
Health insurers have been accused by their regulator of deliberately targeting younger, healthier consumers and disadvantaging older members.
Charlie's parents 'optimistic' over new brain scan
CHARLIE Gard's parents remain "optimistic" following a brain scan that will determine whether he can have experimental therapy.
Disease fears over fly infestations - with the capital worst affected
Households have been warned to keep their bins away from their living areas to reduce the risk of an infestation of flies swarming through their homes.
Husband of Malak Thawley who died during emergency surgery makes breakthrough in fight for independent inquiry
The husband of the late Malak Thawley who died during emergency surgery at the National...
Gaps in drug treatment as abuse rates on rise
A lack of vital drug treatment services are leaving some areas of the country at risk of being abuse 'blackspots'.
More people attending sexual-assault centres as alcohol found to be a factor in many cases - annual report
Nearly one in two people who sought help from the country's sexual-assault treatment units last year had drunk at least the equivalent of two pints...
Nearly one in three babies delivered by C-section after 154pc rise in 25 years
Caesarean sections have soared in Ireland's two biggest maternity hospitals by 154pc over the last 25 years.
Midwives with special skills are needed 'to help alcoholic mothers-to-be'
Specialist midwives trained to support pregnant women with alcohol problems are needed, according to a major new strategy for tackling...
'People die of malnutrition, they don't generally die of dementia'
It was sitting on a bench under a tree in the grounds of Chatsworth House after a dog walk that Jane Clarke first broached the subject of dementia with her dad. A retired teacher, Brian was only...
'I donated placenta to help work of search and rescue dogs'
Irish mothers are beginning to donate their placentas to the Civil Defence's Human Remains Detection (HRD) dogs, to aid in recovery searches.
Stressful life experiences 'can age brain by several years'
Stressful life experiences can age the brain by several years, new research suggests.
'We can have it all, but it isn't easy' - Trainee female surgeon targets success in male-dominated profession
A female trainee surgeon has said it is "possible for women to be surgeons and have it all" - even though new research shows the profession...
HSE hit by €320m gap in funding for elderly
A €320m cash injection is needed to provide the elderly with proper healthcare next year, an unpublished HSE document reveals.
HSE needs extra €320m to look after the elderly
The health service needs a €320m funding injection next year to meet the growing demands of older people, according to an unpublished HSE report.
