Fergal Bowers

Health Correspondent

A sign alerts people to the closure of a beach, due to Covid-19 in 2020

What Ireland's first public Covid-19 hearing revealed

Ireland's first public hearing into how the Covid-19 was handled was revelatory and undoubtedly painful at times, but healthy too, for a better insight into the most significant national crisis in the last 100 years, writes Fergal Bowers.

Analysis and Comment • 04 Apr

Exterior view of the emergency department of Our Lady's Hospital navan

Non-acute surgical services at Navan hospital highlighted

An inspection of Our Lady's Hospital Navan by HIQA said patient safety risks, associated with the hospital not providing acute surgical services on-site, persist and remain to be fully addressed by the HSE.

Leinster • 02 Apr

A general view of signage of covid test facilities in Dublin in 2020

Communities 'not trusted' during pandemic, panel hears

Ireland's Covid inquiry has heard that communities were not trusted enough to manage their own risk during the pandemic.

Health • 31 Mar

Data on GP numbers shows 'concerning' workforce pressures

A national analysis of GP shortages shows concerning patterns of workforce pressures in Dublin's commuter belt, and on the western seaboard, according to the Irish College of GPs.

Health • 27 Mar

New Childrens Hospital courtesy of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board.

NCH opening could be delayed to autumn 2027, cttee hears

The new National Children's Hospital might not be open until spring, summer or the autumn of 2027, with builders BAM missing the 18th completion deadline, the chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Health Pádraig Rice has said.

Health • 25 Mar

A radiology technician pointing at brain scans on a laptop

'Leaky' barrier linked to athletes' poor brain health

New research led by teams at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has identified for the first time what causes some sports injuries to result in poor brain health in retired athletes.

Health • 19 Mar

a stock image illustrating a hospital corridor

Almost 1m people on public hospital waiting lists

Public hospital waiting lists rose last month by over 17,200 patients and now stand just short of one million people waiting to be seen, or to have a hospital procedure.

Health • 13 Mar

A partial view of a woman with E-Scooter

Significant rise in children with e-scooter injuries

Consultants who deal with emergency medicine for children have reported a significant rise in the number of children suffering injuries from e-scooter use.

Health • 12 Mar

NCPE told to remove drug assessment from website

An assessment of a drug for a rare muscular condition was removed from the website of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, at the request of the Department of Health.

Health • 04 Mar

The Rotunda Maternity Hospital on Parnell Square in Dublin

Govt drops plan to move Rotunda to Connolly Hospital

The Government has dropped the existing co-location policy of moving the Rotunda Hospital to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown.

Health • 04 Mar