Fergal Bowers

Health Correspondent

Since 2012, over 230 children and young people in Ireland were referred to the service at Tavistock in the UK

Gender identity healthcare faces reform after UK report

Recent years have seen considerable debate and controversy about gender healthcare among patients, doctors, support groups and politicians, writes Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers.

Analysis and Comment • 15 Apr 24

Around 15,000 people have Parkinson's disease and it is the fastest-growing neurological condition

Parkinson's Ireland says services at risk over funding

Parkinson's Ireland has warned that its services are at risk due to the low level of State funding.

Ireland • 11 Apr 24

The HSE referred over 220 children who identified as having a gender that did not match their biological sex to the Tavistock clinic from 2015 to 2022

UK report to be reviewed for HSE gender care programme

The HSE has said a new clinical programme for gender healthcare is being developed over the next two years, and that a major report published in the UK today will be reviewed as part of this.

UK • 10 Apr 24

There are 646 people waiting for admission to a hospital bed today, compared to 667 yesterday (file image)

Small reduction in hospital overcrowding - INMO

There has been a small reduction in the level of hospital overcrowding nationally today, compared with yesterday, according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

Health • 09 Apr 24

HFA developments are made up of 30% supported renters, 20% private renters and 50% homeowners (Stock image)

Up to 2 GPs needed for every 1,000 HFA homes - ESRI

Around one or two new GPs and five fully-staffed hospital beds are needed for every 1,000 new houses built under the Housing For All (HFA) development system, according to a new ESRI study.

Health • 09 Apr 24

Bernard Gloster told IMO delegates that the HSE has been "de-layered"

IMO calls for HSE to rescind recruitment freeze

HSE Chief Executive Bernard Gloster has said that despite financial pressures and recruitment pauses, the service has more funding and staff than ever.

Ireland • 06 Apr 24

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly addressed the Irish Medical Organisation conference this afternoon

Almost half of consultants on public-only contracts

Doctors are meeting in conference to discuss the staff recruitment freeze, capacity constraints in the health system and long hours worked by Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors. The Minister for Health also gave an update on the new consultants contract.

Health • 05 Apr 24

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is pictured with HSE Chief Executive Bernard Gloster during a visit to UHL today

Donnelly accused of 'crisis-driven response' at UHL

A visit by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to University Hospital Limerick has been described as a "crisis-driven response" by Sinn Féin's Spokesperson on Health.

Regional • 04 Apr 24

HPRA said 2,348 websites, e-commerce or social media pages were amended or shut down

20% increase in seizures of illegal anabolic steroids

Almost 900,000 counterfeit or illegal medicines were seized by authorities in Ireland last year, according to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA).

Health • 28 Mar 24

Funding of €360m has been allocated from the Budget for the plan

Dept aims to cut hospital waiting lists by almost 6%

The Department of Health is looking to cut overall hospital waiting lists this year by almost 6%, according to the Waiting List Action Plan 2024.

Health • 27 Mar 24