Fergal Bowers

Dublin

Health Correspondent at RTÉ

Health Correspondent, RTÉ News, Ireland. NUJ member 44 years. Author. Member AEJ. Views here my own, not of RTE. Follow, or retweets, not an endorsement.

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Articles

McDonald says 'hip surgery scandal' goes back 15 years

1 day ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said there is now confirmation for the first time that the children's "hip surgery scandal" at two Children's Health Ireland (CHI) hospitals goes back 15 years and not just the two-year period currently under review.
Audit into child hip dysplasia surgery not yet completed

1 day ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

Children who have had developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) surgeries at three hospitals are to be offered "routine follow-up care", according to letters sent to parents recently by Children's Health Ireland (CHI). This type of surgery is where the ball and socket joint of a child's hip has not properly formed.
Ireland 'lags behind' on electronic health records

2 days ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

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What is causing delayed access to new cancer medicines?

5 days ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

Few areas of healthcare are as sensitive as cancer treatment. Each year, around 44,000 cancer tumours are diagnosed here and patients may need a mix of surgery, radiotherapy and medicines. Survival rates vary, depending on the type of cancer and how early it has been detected plus the speed of access to treatment. This week saw claims from the organisation that represents the inventors of prescription medicines, that Ireland has the lowest availability for new cancer medicines in Western Europe.
Up to 12 nurses assaulted every day, says INMO President

6 days ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

Up to 12 nurses or midwives are being assaulted in the health system each day, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation's annual conference has heard. Nurses said that the issue is under reported and is largely due to frustration among patients or families waiting for care. INMO President Caroline Gourley said that safe staffing in the workplace along with safe staffing levels are essential issues to be dealt with by employers and there should be prosecutions for it.
Up to 12 nurses assaulted every day

6 days ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

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Ireland last in new cancer drug availability

1 week ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

Ireland has the lowest availability for new cancer medicines in Western Europe, according to the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA). Only 25% of 56 new cancer treatments licensed since 2020 are currently available in Ireland, the association said.
Two reports into children's surgeries expected soon

2 weeks ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

Two independent reports into children's surgeries are expected to be completed soon, it has been confirmed. One report commissioned by Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) into hip operations is going through due process and will then be provided to the Health Service Executive. HSE chief Bernard Gloster said that the report should conclude very shortly and when it is received, it will decide on the response, in conjunction with the Department of Health.
Doctors to discuss staffing and funding at IMO conference

2 weeks ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

Doctors are meeting in conference to discuss staffing, bed capacity and health funding. The impact of consultants being rostered to work at weekends is also a hot topic. The annual general meeting of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) in Killarney, Co Kerry will be addressed by the HSE chief Bernard Gloster. The union represents GPs, consultants, non-consultant hospital doctors and public health doctors. It wants an urgent investment in bed capacity and is seeking 5,000 more beds.
Over 109,000 adverse incidents reported in HSE last year

4 weeks ago | rte.ie | Fergal Bowers

There were over 109,300 adverse incidents reported in the HSE last year with 497 listed as extreme, and 158 as major, according to new figures. There were 469 deaths, of these, 160 were suspected of having died by suicide. The incidents include near misses which do not involve harm, falls, medication error, pressure ulcers and other categories. The data shows that overall, a total of 81,323 incidents were categorised as negligible.