Doctors are to be forced to open up their surgeries to an inspection team for the first time under new competency rules to ensure they are not harming patients, it emerged yesterday. Random checks will see a team of two…
Novus Medica
Medical news service from Penhire
Monthly Archives: January 2012
Hospital sorry after new mum denied tea
A HOSPITAL was forced to apologise after failing to provide tea and toast to a mother who had just given birth. St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny blamed low levels of night staffing for the problem. The hospital says it “regrets…
Consultants over €50,000 better off by retiring just a day earlier
SOME hospital consultants will be more than €50,000 better off by retiring on February 29 instead of a day later, March 1, due to the cuts in public sector pensions coming into effect. Their retirement lump sum would drop from…
Doctor accused of misleading claims
A KILDARE-based doctor made false and misleading claims about the effectiveness of “salt cave climate therapy”, which he offered as a treatment for bronchial ailments, a Medical Council inquiry has been told. The fitness to practise inquiry was told that…
Tagged with: Asthma, Cystic fibrosis, Fitness to practice, Medical Council
Posted in Doctors, Stephen Lane, Tamas Bakonyi
Posted in Doctors, Stephen Lane, Tamas Bakonyi
Medics communicating risk
“Communicating risk to large groups of people is a complex science,” said study director G Caleb Alexander, associate professor of medicine at the University of Chicago. “But success or failure at this can have significant consequences.” The most effective communications…
Photoselective vaporisation of the prostate (PVP)
“This was developed by Dr Reza Malek and a team of surgeons in the Mayo Clinic some years ago”, says Connole. “It offers a much less invasive treatment for benign prostate disease than the traditional surgical procedure. This involves the…
Doctors open centre with cut-price fees
A NEW two-doctor medical practice in the centre of Killarney, Co Kerry, has announced its opening by publishing its consultation fees – sparking speculation among locals that a doctors’ price war is to begin in the town. The Killarney Medical…
Fatal bacteria found in third neonatal unit in the North
THE PSEUDOMONAS bacteria which caused the deaths of four babies in Northern Ireland in the past two months has now been detected in water outlets in the neonatal unit of the Ulster Hospital in east Belfast. (Times) >
Plan to ban anonymous donors ‘will limit supply’
The Government is planning to publish legislation which is likely to end the use of anonymous donor material, as is the case in the UK. This follows the recommendations of the Commission on Assisted Human Reproductions, which has urged the…
High rates of prostate, lung cancer diagnosed
The National Cancer Control Programme, which is responsible for overseeing cancer services, said that so far 4,000 patients sent by GPs for breast, prostate and lung rapid-access screening in the past year had their referrals sent electronically. (Independent) >
We must invest in mental health
[Letter to Indo > ] Though this is a serious problem which obviously deserves attention, it is imperative that tackling suicide and depression be given the resources that it too deserves. Even something like a 10-minute slot on TV every…
Hundreds of women to have implants replaced
Hundreds of Irish women will undergo surgery to remove and replace PIP breast implants over the next few months as worrying new research has shown the rupture rate is far higher than first thought. (Independent) >
Why my diligent, caring surgeon is truly a saint – Emer O’Kelly
He has successfully created a climate of public opinion where all nurses are considered angels of mercy with medical expertise to match that of any consultant, working slave labour hours for wages that would disgrace a Victorian miner. The nurses are now…
Reilly calls for medical card changes
MINISTER FOR Health James Reilly has called for improvements to be made to the system used for issuing and renewing medical cards after reports of long delays for patients. Dr Reilly said patients were the last people who should be…
Electronic GP referrals to cut waiting times
WAITING TIMES for patient referrals to consultants are expected to improve following the establishment of the country’s first national electronic GP referral system. The system, which is a collaboration between the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and the Irish College…
Consultant guilty of poor professional performance after woman (31) died
A DROGHEDA consultant who failed to take adequate steps to implement a treatment plan for a woman who later died, has been found guilty of poor professional performance at a Medical Council fitness-to-practise inquiry. Consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Etop…
System ‘fails to understand mental health problems’
The major failure of the mental health system is that it does not sufficiently understand the emotional and psychological aspects of mental health problems, or the importance of exploring in detail the individual’s experiences. That is according to the author…
Cancer-screening device sits idle in hospital as private operator sought
A SPECIALIST cancer-screening facility in Cork will remain closed until later this year as a private provider is sought to operate it. The purpose-built screening unit houses an unused €3.8 million Pet (positron emission tomography) scanner used for superior detection…
GPs refusing to join care teams
SOME GENERAL practitioners (GPs) around the State are refusing to participate in the introduction of the Government’s primary care strategy in protest at cuts in their fees. HSE national director for integrated care Laverne McGuinness told the Dáil Public Accounts…
Higgins says mental health goal is recovery
BOUNDARIES AND antipathies between professionals who treated people with mental health problems were getting in the way of people’s recovery, President Michael D Higgins has said. Speaking at the second national conference of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy in Dublin…
HSE in breach of care rules for psychiatric patient
THE MENTAL Health Commission has found the Health Service Executive to be in breach of the Mental Health Act over its care for a 39-year-old male psychiatric patient. The man has been in custodial care at an acute psychiatric unit…
HSE rejects safety fears for mothers
THE HEALTH Service Executive has said plans are being put in place to try to deal with the potential loss of up to 47 midwives from the Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick. It follows a statement on Tuesday from…
Obstetrician’s remarks ‘outrageous’, says Kenny
TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny has described as “outrageous” remarks by an obstetrician about shortages in midwifery services in the mid-west. Dr Gerry Burke, a consultant obstetrician at the Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital in Limerick and chairman of the Labour Party in Limerick,…
Reilly announces new hospital target
MINISTER FOR Health James Reilly has announced a new target to ensure no patient will wait more than nine hours in emergency departments before they get a bed or are discharged. “I would describe that as a cause for cautious optimism…
GPs may revisit fees deal if State does not change law
GPs MAY seek to revisit agreements on fee cuts for treating patients over 70 if the Government reneges on commitments to amend competition law, the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has warned. It said agreements reached by the Government with the…
Sugar-coated bacteria may help in fight against cancer, says UCC
Research from University College Cork (UCC) has found that probiotic bacteria products, which provide a list of positive health benefits and have become a key part of most households’ weekly shop, survive in the gut mainly due to their sugar-like…
Cuts to impact surgery waiting lists
Waiting lists for specialist treatment and surgery are about to get longer at one of the country’s largest regional hospitals. With over €6m in cuts and the departure of up to 70 nurses by next month, Waterford Regional Hospital (WRH)…
Cancer patients to lose service
PATIENT numbers at Waterford Regional Hospital are set to be drastically reduced, with 2,200 fewer people treated a year because of budget cuts. Operating theatres, wards and beds have already started to close to save cash at one of the country’s…
