Fergal Bowers

Health Correspondent

Finn Dempsey, with his mother Claire, recovers at CHI Crumlin after his spinal fusion surgery

Teen eyes LA Paralympics after successful spinal surgery

A teenager has the next Paralympics in his sights having successfully undergone a full spinal fusion surgery.

Ireland • 19 Dec 24

The audit said that the yearly budget for ambulance replacement has remained at €14.5m since 2016 and that this is insufficient (Stock image)

HSE budget allocation for ambulances found 50% deficient

An internal HSE audit of the National Ambulance fleet has found that the budget allocation for last year was 50% deficient in terms of the funding needs of the service.

Health • 17 Dec 24

Dr Paul Moran said that a trial is needed first to establish the effectiveness and safety of puberty blockers

No child gender dysphoria services in Ireland - doctor

One of the main psychiatrists at the National Gender Service has said that, at the moment, there are no services here for children with gender dysphoria, other than getting help from the local community mental health teams

Health • 12 Dec 24

The review covers the implementation of scoliosis and spina bifida action plans for 2022 and 2023

Audit finds no issues on CHI spinal surgery fund spend

The HSE has published an internal audit into how over €19 million allocated for spinal surgery was spent by the children's hospital group, Children's Health Ireland.

Ireland • 11 Dec 24

The survey published by the Health Information and Quality Authority involved responses from 12,367 patients (File image)

Most hospital patients rate care positively, survey finds

A majority of patients have rated their hospital care positively, according to the latest National Inpatient Experience Survey.

Health • 10 Dec 24

The uptake of the nasal spray flu vaccine for children is currently at just under 16% (File image)

CMO urges public to get flu vaccine as cases rise

There has been a rise in cases of influenza and high levels are expected between Christmas and the New Year, according to interim Chief Medical Officer Professor Mary Horgan.

Health • 09 Dec 24

HIQA has been tasked with considering the case for a second emergency department within the region (File image)

HIQA opens public consultation to inform midwest review

The Health Information and Quality Authority has opened a public consultation to inform its independent statutory review into urgent and emergency care in the midwest region.

Health • 04 Dec 24

Kildare North: The story of the count

Regional • 03 Dec 24

There is common ground in relation to more frontline staff and cutting prescription charges

What changes for health are in the election manifestos?

Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers looks at some of the top promises being made by the various political parties.

Election 24 • 26 Nov 24

The society said that public patients must wait on average two years to find out if they will get access to EMA-approved anti-cancer drugs

Two-tier system failing patients, says cancer society

The Irish Cancer Society has said Ireland's two-tier health system is failing public cancer patients, who are not getting the same potentially life-saving cancer treatments as those being treated in private hospitals.

Health • 22 Nov 24