Children addicted to synthetic cannabis vapes can be denied access to Camhs support
Highly addictive drug linked to serious mental and physical health problems including psychosis
Department of Health
News, analysis, and features about the Department of Health
CUH consultants seek independent staffing assessment over patient safety fears
Minister warned of threat to patient safety following ‘years of underfunding’
Low transplant rates have serious repercussions
We owe it to organ donors to ensure our transplant system is fully equipped to save lives
What impact will ongoing grade-enhancement reductions have on CAO points?
Continuing enhancement of Leaving Cert results, even at a reduced level, means an ongoing distorting effect
Almost 6,000 fewer healthcare staff than officially permitted, HSE says
Gap will close as trainee staff move into regular employment on graduation, officials say, but nurses and doctors express concern
Dublin care workers’ strike ends after Labour Court recommends letting pay review proceed
Irish Workers Union says action could resume if progress not made
Sinn Féin leader urges Taoiseach to intervene after HSE opposed funding rare-disease drug
Move follows Fianna Fáil politicians’ call for HSE to change stance on treatment for Friedreich’s ataxia
HSE began ‘enhanced’ support and oversight of Bloomfield following patient care concerns
Independent investigation of Rathfarnham hospital found patients were sworn at and threatened
Hiqa to review tobacco affordability as Irish smoking rates stall
Smoking prevalence has remained at 17 or 18 per cent since 2019 despite increases in tobacco taxes
Flood protection: New group to look at gaps in insurance market
Many homeowners and businesses have found themselves left without flood insurance as their locations are deemed too risky for policies
The HSE was broken up into six regions two years ago to deliver better care. Is it working?
Restructuring Ireland’s health service was meant to integrate services locally, but concerns have been highlighted by regional managers and the HSE board
Sale of vapes and cigarettes to young people could be banned
Government considering ban for anyone born after certain date
Public-only consultants at St Vincent’s claimed for lab work done for private patients
HSE blocked practice after hospital asked for temporary exemption so arrangement could continue
We all pay a price for blame culture towards the health service
Robert Watt is correct, albeit a little late, to call for less finger-pointing
HSE under pressure over health agency staff as Opposition claims spending is rising
Health service spent more than €900 million on personnel recruited through external agencies last year
Pharmacists’ powers to prescribe contraception expected to be in place by year end
Women will be able to get monthly repeat prescriptions at chemists after initial GP consultation
GP shortages: Where are the most acute problems across the country?
The representative body for Irish GPs warns of three ‘emerging pressure points’
‘Gotcha’ blame culture must end if key projects to be delivered faster, says Robert Watt
Politicians and officials should be enabled to take ‘balanced risks’ but supported when schemes go awry
€1.5bn to be set aside for tax package for workers in summer economic statement
Expenditure increases limited to €7bn with €1.5bn to be set aside for tax package aimed at increasing take-home pay
Chronic fatigue syndrome care services are ‘not sufficient’ to meet needs, HSE admits
Patients report ‘litany of poor experiences’ with services
Head of HSE gender healthcare to step down at end of year after drafting new model of care
Minister of State Mary Butler praised Icelandic model and sought funding for HSE gender clinic in Drogheda, letter released under FOI shows
Pressure over Government spending cuts likely to fuel tensions at Cabinet
Black hole in Department of Education funding has led to €446m levy
Irish cities need heatwave plans, coalition of health experts says
‘Urban heat island’ effect means cities are often several degrees hotter than surrounding areas
Three departments face closer supervision after exceeding budgets
Health, Education and Children subject to ‘special measures’ involving oversight from Department of Public Expenditure officials
What is folic acid and why does the Government want to put it in our flour?
The main benefit of folic acid is that it reduces the incidence of neural tube defects in unborn children
Abortion numbers fall to 10,600 during 2025, says Department of Health report
Majority of procedures carried out in early pregnancy under 12 weeks with medication made available from GPs
Minister pledges law change after review of nursing home regulation
O'Donnell says independent review highlights need for reforms to regulation and accountability
How vapes and pouches have become the tobacco industry’s great smokeless hope
British American Tobacco seeks engagement with Government, but sector continues to be shunned officially
‘Medically fragile’ man evacuated to Dublin from Gaza forced to move to Kilkenny despite need for hospital treatment
Amir Wali and his family say relocation to Kilkenny is unsuitable on medical, psychological, educational and practical grounds
TDs seek extra scrutiny of Bill removing three-day wait for abortion over fear of backlash
Some Government TDs argue at Oireachtas health committee that pushing Bill through rapidly could cause divisions
Health service recorded deficit of €400m to end of May, committee hears
There was a significant overspend in HSE’s pay budget, chief executive Anne O’Connor says
Pharmacists in Ireland would be allowed prescribe contraception under proposed new law
Increased borrowing limit for Housing Finance Agency and plans for AI Gigafactory also on Cabinet agenda
Recent hospital budget increases ‘not fiscally sustainable’, Minister for Health warns
Pay costs from over-recruitment contributing to hospitals’ financial pressures, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill tells PAC
If Jennifer Carroll MacNeill means what she says about women’s choice, she needs to fund it
It’s very difficult to have a conversation which begins with a threat to the hospital’s funding
‘I felt nobody had my back’: What the Rotunda row says about public v private maternity care
Mothers and medical professionals share their views as differences between public and private maternity care in the State are brought into sharp focus
Hospital waiting lists reach more than a million patients for the first time
Consultants warn of ‘severe knock-on consequences’ for those denied vital procedures
Rotunda consultant row is just the tip of the iceberg
Majority of voluntary hospitals still restricting state access to their financial information
Rotunda master defends decision to allow public-only consultants carry out private work
Seán Daly says hospital allowing public-only consultants to do private work was on basis of legal advice, and says ‘so much misinformation’ over issue
Rotunda Hospital board agrees to Minister’s demands over public-only consultants
Board has backed down following stand-off with Government and will comply with terms of public-only consultant contract
Rotunda backs down in standoff over consultants taking private work
Maternity hospital’s board to ‘bring its arrangements into line with Government policy’
Independent Ireland TD defends high number of PQs submitted as concerns raised over use of AI
Issue of politicians allegedly using AI was raised at the Dáil business committee last month
The Irish Times view on maternity services: choice should not depend on purchasing power
The attempt by the Rotunda Hospital to face down the Minister for Health is unwise
Taoiseach warns Rotunda board to ‘reflect’ on public contracts decision
Minister of State Robert Troy says there must be ‘consequences’ if public contracts not implemented
All pregnant women should get continuity of care – not just those who can pay for it
Days of the consultant being on-call for the labour ward from home need to be consigned to history, too
Prestige or patient choice? Rotunda resists plan to stop public-only consultants offering private maternity care
Dublin hospital picks public fight with HSE and Minister for Health with threat looming of State funding being withdrawn
Will a new autism diagnosis system speed up service delivery?
In the News podcast: Approach will ‘streamline’ access to autism diagnoses, HSE says
‘Significant disparities’ in accessing specialised diabetes resources, report finds
Ireland’s first national strategy for diabetes outlining recommendations for action is published
Dublin council chief wanted ‘generational civil servant’ Robert Watt for €280,000-a-year secondment
Former Department of Health secretary general appointed to €280,000 role without competitive process as it was a secondment
Should Ireland copy the UK’s generational ban on smoking?
Debate: UK move seeks to balance personal freedom and benefits to individuals’ health and the common good
Department of Health faces task to find €175m in savings to offset overspending in education
Labour TD Ged Nash says the way details of sums involved are being presented by Ministers ‘is anything but transparent’
Irish diplomats were warned about ‘approaches’ from Big Tobacco
Warning issued by senior Irish official to more than 280 diplomatic staff in Brussels
Striking ambulance unions urged to re-enter talks as patient safety ‘clearly at risk’
HSE says 24-hour stoppage on Tuesday had a ‘significant impact’ on services and waiting times
Two Irish passengers from hantavirus-hit cruise ship return home
Both expected to isolate in quarantine for about five weeks after returning from Tenerife on Government jet
Crosswords & Puzzles
Crosswords & puzzles to keep you challenged and entertained
Stardust
Inquests into the nightclub fire that led to the deaths of 48 people
Common Ground
How does a post-Brexit world shape the identity and relationship of these islands
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