A round-up of other health stories in brief
VOMITING BUG: The winter vomiting bug is continuing to have a major impact on Cork hospitals with all visits still cancelled at Cork University Hospital (CUH) while a ban on visitors is now also in place at St Finbarr's Hospital in the city.
At St Finbarr's, two wards have been hit by the bug. However, the virus has not affected the hospital's maternity section. Meanwhile, visiting restrictions are also in place at St Raphael's in Youghal, Co Cork.
Health officials say the bug is highly contagious and restrictions are necessary to stop it spreading. The virus is very debilitating particularly for those who are already battling another illness.
Mary O'Byrne, nurse manager at CUH, says anyone who contracts the bug should drink plenty of fluids and maintain strict hygiene to avoid passing on the infection.
ARTHRITIS HELP ONLINE: It is estimated that more than 400,000 people in Ireland suffer from arthritis and many do nothing about it. A new website, www.arthritiscare.ie, aims to inform people about arthritis, its risk factors, symptoms, treatments and methods for coping with the condition. The site also features advice for younger people on taking care of their joints to help prevent wear and tear which causes arthritis. A special feature is the graphic explanations of various full and partial joint replacement surgeries.
SLOW DOWN SUNDAY: Those who felt short-changed in the R&R department over the Easter break might benefit from Slow down Sunday this weekend at Cultivate in Dublin's Temple Bar.
Described as "a day of rest, relaxation and gentle inspiration", from midday, participants can enjoy some home-grown artisan food; watch films on the future of food; hear talks on genetic modification; or simply browse the Sunday papers. Later, guests are invited to take part in "labyrinthine walking meditation" or the "being human" meditative dance, which combines elements of chi kung, meditation and ecstatic dance with the type of music you'd expect to hear in a nightclub. For more details, tel: 01 6745773.
WELFARE TEACHING: Child and family welfare teaching is the focus for discussion at a colloquium taking place at UCC on Friday. Aimed at social work educators in Ireland and Northern Ireland, the major themes to be addressed include: preparing social work students for practice realities in child and family welfare; the scholarship of teaching and learning; and future links and networking. The Colloquium opens at 10am in the Beara Room, Devere Hall (Aras na Mac Léinn). For further information, contact Marie McSweeney on tel: 021 4902371.
CONTROLLED DRUGS REVIEW: The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is inviting submissions from pharmacists relating to the supply of controlled drugs, such as methadone, morphine and synthetic opiates.
Rónan Quirke, president of the society, said the review would concentrate on issues that affect patient care and treatment. "We intend to focus primarily on issues relating to controlled drug supply, such as prescribing, and the issue of prescriptions, record keeping in relation to them, how they are stored safely, the security and safe handling of them, their disposal and accountability in relation to these substances." Mr Quirke said the society was interested in hearing about the experiences of pharmacists in dispensing and supplying controlled drugs.
Once the PSI has received submissions from the pharmacy sector, it says it intends to meet other interested parties to develop a forum to identify required changes to the law, the regulations or practices to ensure patient care and welfare and public safety are protected. Further details from:
[ www.pharmaceuticalsociety.ie ]
HEALTHY ART: Secondary school students entering this year's An Post Education Awards are being encouraged to explain what they really think about food and exercise. The competition invites students to create a piece of art work or written composition explaining their stance on food and exercise and what influences their decisions on health and wellbeing. The theme for this year's awards is It's time to look at food and exercise differently.
Barney Whelan of An Post said: "Health, and in particular the health of young people, is, and has been, dominating the media for the past couple of years. We believe it's important to stop and ask young people what they are picking up from these messages and which messages are getting through."
An Post is also running a competition aimed at primary schools students, entitled Get a Taste for Life, which aims to motivate children to eat a healthy balanced diet by using the food pyramid, to be more adventurous with food and to enjoy exercise.
Entry forms have been distributed to schools and the closing date is Friday, April 28th. For further information see www.anpost.ie/AnPost/school+awards