Health

Data on GP numbers shows 'concerning' workforce pressures

A national analysis of GP shortages shows concerning patterns of workforce pressures in Dublin's commuter belt, and on the western seaboard, according to the Irish College of GPs.

Health • 52 mins

Kitchen and dining area recommended for new schools

An evaluation of the school meals programme has recommended that a kitchen and dining or canteen area should be mandatory in all new school buildings.

Hot School Meals • 21 hrs

New Childrens Hospital courtesy of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board.

NCH opening could be delayed to autumn 2027, cttee hears

The new National Children's Hospital might not be open until spring, summer or the autumn of 2027, with builders BAM missing the 18th completion deadline, the chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Health Pádraig Rice has said.

Health • 25 Mar

Over 750,000 illegal medicines seized by HPRA last year

More than 750,000 units of illegal medicines were seized by the Health Products Regulatory Authority last year.

Health • 24 Mar

HSE audit: €2m paid to consultants 'deviates from pay guidelines'

A HSE internal audit has found that €2m was paid to hospital consultants to reduce waiting lists at Naas General Hospital (NGH) outside of public pay policy guidelines

Prime Time • 24 Mar

Young woman being prepared by a nurse for blood donation

'We were lost' - the impact of an infected transfusion

Every year, four or five people with a medical complaint enter an Irish hospital and discover that many years ago they received a blood transfusion and, unfortunately for them, it was infected with the Hepatitis C virus.

Health • 22 Mar

A large area has multiple tables and chairs as people wearing facemasks receive a vaccination

Kent meningitis cases drop as vaccine rollout continues

The number of cases of meningitis linked to an outbreak in Kent in the UK, has dropped as a campaign to vaccinate thousands of young people continued into a fourth day.

UK • 22 Mar

Students queuing to receive vaccines and antibiotics at the University of Kent campus in Canterbury

Number of cases in UK meningitis outbreak rises to 34

The number of cases linked to the meningitis outbreak in Kent in the UK, has risen to 34, up from 29 previously, as hundreds of students queued for a third day to get vaccinated.

UK • 21 Mar

BreastCheck miss screening targets for third year running

The national cancer screening programme BreastCheck missed its mammogram targets by 46,000 last year, the HSE has confirmed to RTÉ's News at One.

Health • 20 Mar

A person holds hands with an ill person with a blanket on their lap (Stock image)

Plan to increase access to insurance for cancer survivors

Cancer survivors are set to face a shorter wait to access mortgage protection insurance under new Government plans, with legislation expected before the summer recess.

Health • 20 Mar

Posters as part of a new HSE vaping campaign

HSE working with content creators on new vaping campaign

The HSE is for the first time working with content creators as it launches a new youth vaping and nicotine prevention campaign.

Health • 20 Mar

No increase in meningitis cases in Ireland, says HSE

The HSE has said that there is no increase in meningitis related disease (meningococcal disease) in Ireland beyond normal levels for this time of year, and there is currently no link between cases in Ireland and the recent outbreak in Kent.

Health • 19 Mar

Boy treated twice for firework injuries over Halloween

Nine children were treated for firework-related injuries at the national paediatric burns unit in a single week at Halloween, with one boy ending up in hospital twice during the period.

Ireland • 19 Mar

The unreleased funding was returned to the concession holder following a query during the 2024 audit

CHI accepted €30,000 for Christmas party in 2022 - PAC

Children's Health Ireland accepted €30,000 from a concession holder towards the cost of a staff Christmas party in 2022, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has heard.

Politics • 19 Mar

A radiology technician pointing at brain scans on a laptop

'Leaky' barrier linked to athletes' poor brain health

New research led by teams at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has identified for the first time what causes some sports injuries to result in poor brain health in retired athletes.

Health • 19 Mar

Draft National Drugs Strategy 'fundamentally flawed'

The draft National Drugs Strategy has been described as "fundamentally flawed" by a number of groups representing people who use drugs, as well as communities and families that are affected by drug use.

Ireland • 19 Mar

Students wait in line at the entrance to the sports hall at University of Kent campus in Canterbury

Students receive meningitis vaccines after Kent outbreak

Students have begun to receive a meningitis B vaccine following a deadly outbreak of the bug in Kent.

UK • 18 Mar

Students queuing for antibiotics outside a building at the University of Kent in Canterbury

Kent students to be offered jab after meningitis outbreak

Students in university halls in Kent are to be offered the meningitis B vaccine, as officials work to stem the spread of infection in an "unprecedented" outbreak.

Health • 17 Mar

Two young people die following UK meningitis outbreak

Two young people have died following an outbreak of meningitis in the UK.

UK • 16 Mar

hoto Shows : Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill speaking at the Launch of the AI Care Strategy in the Mater Hospital,

Healthcare unions express concern over AI policy

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions' group of healthcare unions has said that any integration of Artificial Intelligence into the public health service must be done in consultation with workers.

Health • 13 Mar

a stock image illustrating a hospital corridor

Almost 1m people on public hospital waiting lists

Public hospital waiting lists rose last month by over 17,200 patients and now stand just short of one million people waiting to be seen, or to have a hospital procedure.

Health • 13 Mar

People will now be able to avail of 20% tax relief for expenses incurred for a consultation with a pharmacist

Tax relief on some pharmacy healthcare from tomorrow

From tomorrow, people will be able to claim tax relief of 20% on health expenses for some healthcare provided by pharmacists.

Health • 12 Mar

A partial view of a woman with E-Scooter

Significant rise in children with e-scooter injuries

Consultants who deal with emergency medicine for children have reported a significant rise in the number of children suffering injuries from e-scooter use.

Health • 12 Mar

Intelligent breeding farm for laying hens (Stock image)

Bird flu outbreak confirmed near Omagh, Co Tyrone

Northern Ireland's chief vet today confirmed that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 has been found at a commercial poultry premises near Omagh.

Agribusiness • 12 Mar

Bags containing a powder known as Tussi or pink cocaine are pictured in Medellin, Colombia

Warning issued about 'pink powder' drugs ahead of holiday

The HSE has warned people who plan to use illicit drugs that come in powder or crystal forms over the St Patrick's Day weekend to be on alert, as they may contain dangerous substances.

Health • 12 Mar