Category Archives: News

Fear of advocacy funding cut has ‘chilling effect’

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Advocacy experts have warned that slashing funding to interest groups could damage society and said many in the sector believed their funding was at risk if they were too critical of Government departments and State agencies.

The Advocacy Initiative, itself funded by Atlantic Philanthropies, said fears of funding cuts were having “a chilling effect” on the sector. The organisation made its comments following a week in which the Irish Patients’ Association was informed by the HSE that its core funding will disappear from next April.

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10,000 wait over four years for outpatients Posted: Friday 08/02/2013

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Nearly 10,000 patients are waiting more than four years for a hospital outpatient appointment, according to latest statistics from the HSE.

The HSE’s performance report for December shows there were 384,446 on outpatient lists at the end of last year. Nearly one in three of these patients, nearly 110,000, were waiting over a year.

The report also shows that emergency admissions to hospitals increased by 11,997, or 3.2% last year, while there were 13,905 (2.4%) more inpatients treated and 13,981 (1.7%) more day patients treated.

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Doctor fails to attend Medical Council inquiry: 11:00, Tuesday, 15 January 2013

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A hospital doctor based in Portlaoise, Co Laois has failed to attend a Medical Council fitness to practise inquiry into an allegation against him.

The inquiry heard today that Dr Mirghany El-Mana, who is from Sudan, indicated last Thursday that he would be present.

It is alleged that Dr El-Mana failed to comply with a condition attached to his registration as a doctor, following a previous Medical Council inquiry in 2010, which found him guilty on four counts of professional misconduct.

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Fast food ups asthma severity in kids Posted: Tue 15/01/2013

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Fast food may increase the severity of conditions such as asthma and eczema in children, a new study indicates.

According to a team of international scientists, these findings could have major implications for public health, due to the popularity of these types of foods.

The study involved over 319,000 13-14-year-olds from 51 countries and over 181,000 six and seven-year-olds from 31 countries. All were involved in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood – the largest study of its kind which involves almost two million children in over 100 countries.

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Public urged to check blood pressure Posted: Wed 09/01/2013

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Almost one in three adults who attended a national blood pressure roadshow organised by the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) last year, were advised to see their GP about their results, the foundation has revealed.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can cause silent damage to the blood vessels and heart, as there are few symptoms and the only way you can find out you have it is by having it measured. If left untreated, the damage progresses over time and can cause a range of problems, including atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), stroke and heart failure

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Just how definitive is heart screen process? Monday September 10 2012

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Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) tests carry with them their own dilemmas, writes Áilín Quinlan

WITHOUT warning, a young footballer collapses on a pitch and is rushed to hospital only to be pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

It’s diagnosed as Sudden Adult Death Syndrome which, following a string of highly publicised cases in recent years, has left the families of victims traumatised — and sparked deep public concern.

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