Fergal Bowers

Health Correspondent

The vaccine will be given by GPs to babies at the age of 12 months (File image)

GPs to offer chickenpox vaccine to babies at 12 months

Babies born from this month onwards will now be offered the chickenpox vaccine, which is being added to the HSE immunisation scheme.

Health • 02 Oct 24

There were 9,635 patients waiting for admission to a bed this month, compared to 10,018 in September last year

Hospital overcrowding reduced compared to September 2023

Hospital overcrowding reduced this month, compared to September last year, according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

Health • 30 Sep 24

The new National Children's Hospital will likely end up being the most expensive hospital of its kind, ever built

Can the new Children's Hospital stand-off be resolved?

The new National Children's Hospital is a project in deep crisis and in need of emergency attention, writes Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers.

Analysis and Comment • 30 Sep 24

The IPU said pharmacies are the most accessed part of the Irish health system with 78 million visits annually (file image)

Pharmacies call for expanded role in Irish health system

The Irish Pharmacy Union has called for pharmacies to be given a much bigger role in healthcare in the community.

Health • 25 Sep 24

The new hospital was originally due to open in 2020

Hospital build fully resourced, Oireachtas committee told

Construction firm BAM has said it rejects incorrect allegations made at the Oireachtas Committee on Health by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board.

Ireland • 25 Sep 24

The most recent completion date for the hospital was February 2025 with up to nine months then needed for commissioning (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Report questions readiness over operation of NCH

A confidential report for the HSE has questioned the operational readiness to commission and operate the new National Children's Hospital.

Health • 24 Sep 24

Nursing Homes Ireland said rising operational costs and pressures on the Fair Deal Scheme have resulted in the closures

77 nursing homes closed since 2018 due to rising costs

Nursing Homes Ireland has said that rising operational costs and pressures on the Fair Deal Scheme have resulted in the closure of at least 77 nursing homes since 2018.

Ireland • 19 Sep 24

Bernard Gloster said that there were marginally more people coming onto waiting lists than coming off (file image)

Waiting lists should be judged on 'wait time not numbers'

HSE chief Bernard Gloster has said he will publish a report into the death of Aoife Johnston at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) in December 2022 "not later" than Monday next.

Health • 18 Sep 24

Aoife Johnston died of meningitis after she was referred to UHL's overcrowded ED

Report into Aoife Johnston death expected next week

HSE chief Bernard Gloster has said he expects to publish a report into the death of Aoife Johnston at University Hospital Limerick in December 2022 next week.

Health • 17 Sep 24

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said a number of preparatory steps were needed to enable the commencement of the Act

Patient Safety Act to come into force in coming days

The Patient Safety Act is to come into force in the coming days. This will provide for the mandatory open disclosure of a list of serious patient safety incidents to patients and or their families.

Health • 17 Sep 24