Fergal Bowers

Health Correspondent

Close up image shows the hands of a dentist wearing blue gloves examining a child's mouth.

'Too many' leaving school without dental screening

The Government must commit to urgent implementation of the national dental policy, which was published seven years ago, according to the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee report on dental services to be published later today.

Health • 16 Apr

Medical experts call for adult national vaccine programme

Medical experts have called for a full national vaccination programme for adults, similar to what is available for children, and for the shingles vaccine to be made free for older people.

Health • 15 Apr

a stock image illustrating a hospital corridor

10,000 more people on public hospital waiting lists

More than 952,887 people are currently on national public hospital waiting lists, which represents a further increase.

Health • 10 Apr

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill speaking to press

Fuel protests impacting patients, warns health minister

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has warned that the fuel protests are having an impact on patients with operations facing cancellations next week.

Health • 10 Apr

Appeal for blood donations as stocks low

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is asking blood donors to attend donation clinics this week, as blood stocks are very low after the bank holiday weekend.

Health • 07 Apr

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