Fergal Bowers

Health Correspondent

The report calls for further education of doctors, pharmacists and the public on the issue.

Calls for greater caution prescribing benzos

A new report has recommended greater caution and strict monitoring of the prescribing of benzodiazepines and other drugs.

Health • 25 Feb

The report aims to reduce the overprescribing of sleeping pills to people

Greater caution around use of sleeping pills recommended

A new report has recommended greater caution and strict monitoring of the prescribing of benzodiazepines and other drugs.

Health • 25 Feb

St John of God Hospital said the service can be provided on an outpatient basis

Dublin hospital to introduce new treatment for depression

St John of God Hospital in Dublin has said it is the first hospital in Ireland to introduce a special treatment for patients who do not have success with conventional treatment for depression.

Health • 25 Feb

The HSE is seeking more staffing at weekends when there is increased demand for services

Fórsa writes to HSE over 'aggressive approach' to rosters

The Fórsa union has written to the HSE saying that any unilateral instruction to staff to change their hours without full adherence to existing agreements will necessitate an appropriate response.

Ireland • 20 Feb

Stuart Haxell was only able to see a small amount of light for 13 years before the gene therapy

Functionally blind man gets sight back after gene therapy

A 31-year-old Sligo man who was functionally blind has got his sight back, after being treated with a new gene therapy at the Mater University Hospital in Dublin.

Ireland • 18 Feb

It will deal with surgeries that do not require hospital stays

First surgical hub officially opens in south Dublin

The first new surgical hub has been officially opened at the Mount Carmel Community Hospital in south Dublin.

Health • 13 Feb

The new target is to have 50% of patients waiting less than the Sláintecare targets of 10 weeks for their first outpatient appointment

New targets set to cut hospital waiting lists this year

New targets to cut waiting lists by the end of this year have been set out under the national Waiting List Action Plan for 2025, published by the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

Health • 12 Feb

Yesterday the number was put at 641 (Stock image)

600 admitted patients waiting for hospital bed - INMO

Hospital overcrowding has reduced to 600 patients waiting for admission to a bed, according to figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation.

Health • 12 Feb

The highest level of overcrowding ever recorded was 931 patients on 3 January 2023

Why is hospital overcrowding still an issue?

Hospital overcrowding has been a persistent, ingrained issue for the health service for several decades. So, why has nothing changed?

Analysis and Comment • 12 Feb

Many hospitals now use robotic surgery, which has revolutionised treatment offering precision surgery

Robotic surgery guidance issued amid growth in use

New national guidance on the use of robotic surgery has been issued following significant growth in the use of these machines in hospitals for routine and complex procedures.

Health • 06 Feb