Fergal Bowers

Health Correspondent

The emergency department at three hospitals in the area, including Ennis, were closed in 2009

Review to consider if midwest should have second ED

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is to order a review into urgent and emergency care capacity in the midwest region to determine whether a second emergency department is required there.

Munster • 09 May 24

The INMO's annual conference will run until Friday afternoon

Staffing shortfalls impacting on patient safety - INMO

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has said that patient safety is being affected by staffing shortfalls, and that significant numbers of nurses have considered leaving their workplaces due to high levels of stress.

Health • 08 May 24

The inspection was conducted by the health watchdog HIQA last November (file image)

Risks to patients not 'fully managed' in UHL, HIQA finds

A new unannounced inspection of the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick has found that the risks of harm to patients are not being fully managed.

Health • 03 May 24

A portion of the children were seen for the first time in secondary school (Stock image)

Dental recruitment embargo 'ludicrous' - Sinn Féin

Around 100,000 children are not getting the required dental treatment because of a "ludicrous" recruitment embargo imposed by the Government, according to Sinn Féin.

Health • 25 Apr 24

Visiting to Patrick's ward is currently restricted (File image)

Covid-19 outbreak in Wexford General Hospital

Wexford General Hospital has said it is dealing with an outbreak of Covid-19, with one area of the hospital affected.

Regional • 24 Apr 24

The committee heard that over 296,000 people in Ireland are impacted by blindness and vision impairment (file image)

Calls for next Govt to develop national eye health plan

Vision Ireland has said that there is a critical need for a national eye health strategy over the lifetime of the next Government.

Health • 24 Apr 24

The exact number of people in Ireland with Long Covid is unknown as of yet (Stock image)

What do we know about Long Covid?

In Ireland, there have been over 1.7 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 infection so far.

Analysis and Comment • 20 Apr 24

PNA General Secretary Peter Hughes said several services are carrying vacancies of between 20-30%

725 vacant posts in mental health services - PNA

The Psychiatric Nurses Association has said it has identified 725 vacant posts in the mental health services.

Health • 18 Apr 24

Long-Covid Advocacy Ireland calling for long-Covid to be recognised as an occupational illness

Long Covid clinics 'not helping', patients tell committee

Patients with long Covid have criticised the Health Service Executive's (HSE) response to their illness, saying that they have been "neglected and dismissed".

Ireland • 17 Apr 24

Human Tissue Act includes an opt out provision (Stock image

IKA wants to see goal of 50 living transplants achieved

The Irish Kidney Association has said it is looking forward to new legal provisions being commenced whereby people who do not wish to donate their organs can opt out.

Health • 16 Apr 24