Fergal Bowers

Health Correspondent

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

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