Paul Cullen

Paul Cullen

Health Correspondent

Paul Cullen is Health Editor of The Irish Times

There have been 131 confirmed monkeypox cases reported outside the countries where it usually spreads. Photograph: iStock
First cases of hospital and family transmitted monkeypox recorded in UK

Research shows antivirals may be an effective treatment for virus

Four cases of BA.4, a sublineage of Omicron, have now been detected in Ireland. Photograph: iStock
Covid: Two further cases of new variant found in Ireland

Extra-transmissible strains of Omicron variant gain foothold in Europe and US

Medical scientists mount a picket at St James’s Hospital in Dublin today. The scientists have withdrawn routine laboratory services in protest over pay and conditions and will continue their protest on Wednesday from 8am until 8pm. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin
Medical scientists halt strike action as Labour Court intervenes

MLSA says 2,100 members will resume work on Wednesday in all hospital laboratories

Second boosters are being provided to over-65s but it seems unlikely they will be recommended for the general population in the short term. Photograph: Joseph Prezioso / AFP
Q&A: Why is Covid back in the news?

There is no indication new variants are any more severe than previous Omicron lineages

Members of the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA) at the Mater Hospital during a one-day strike on May 18th. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Patients at risk without testing due to scientists strike, warns hospital group

Two days of strikes by MLSA expected to have ‘knock-on effect’ on emergency departments

The HSE said the start of screening for the condition followed ‘an extensive body of work’ to complete verification, diagnostic and clinical pathways. File photograph: Getty
Newborns to be screened for rare but serious inherited disease

Test to be used for condition affecting one in 78,000 as well as the eight already screened

Emergency department and ambulance staff need to prioritise more the risks to patients left waiting in ambulances on arrival at hospital, a report by a HSE panel says. Photograph: Alan Betson
Four in five ambulance patients brought directly to ED, report finds

Many are ‘fit to sit’ when brought into emergency departments, official report finds

Ireland attracted fewer industry-sponsored interventional clinical trials in the period than Finland and Denmark. Photograph: iStock
Irish patients excluded from drug trials for life-saving treatments due to barriers

Ireland attracting fewer clinical trials than some European countries

The first cases of a new Covid-19 variant of concern have been detected in the Republic. File photograph: NEXU Science Communication/via Reuters
Covid: New variant of concern detected in Republic

Two cases of BA.4, a sublineage of Omicron, were detected here earlier this month

The NMH building is so old it was mentioned in Ulysses. It is a warren of corridors, nooks and crannies. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
Soaring tensions about maternity hospital matched by falling birth rates

Between 2012 and 2020, total annual births in the State fell by 13,664, or almost 20%

Outside of Massachusetts General Hospital where the first case of Monkeypox virus in the United States in 2022 is being treated for in a male patient in Boston. Photograph: EPA/CJ Gunther
Ireland on alert for monkeypox as virus spreads across Europe

WHO meets to assess outbreak as UK records 20 cases, with virus spreading in community

In trials, Paxlovid has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death from Covid-19 by 89 per cent. Photograph: Pfizer/EPA
Covid: Just 65 doses of 'game-changer' antiviral pill given to Irish patients

Paxlovid has been available in the State for more than a month

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland expressed concern over exclusion of the children, aged between six and 11, from treatment with the drug Kaftrio. File photograph: Getty
Call to resolve dispute stopping 35 children receiving CF treatment

HSE and pharma firm Vertex urged by Cystic Fibrosis Ireland to resolve pricing dispute

The number of people who became ill due to a salmonella outbreak linked to Kinder chocolate products has increased to 369 across Europe and North America, including 16 in Ireland. Photograph: EPA
Sixteen salmonella cases in Ireland linked to Kinder products

Two strains of illness identified in buttermilk used at chocolate maker’s Belgian plant

Work is underway at European level to try find a cause. One suggestion is it could be linked to a reaction to an adenovirus - a common virus that affects children. Photograph: iStock
Further seven cases of unexplained hepatitis in children under investigation, says HSE

Cases are in addition to the six confirmed last week when it was disclosed one child had died and another required a liver transpl(...)

Recruitment figures for the health service are ‘encouraging’ so far this year, though the HSE is not on track to recruit its target of 10,000 additional staff this year. Photograph: Leah Farrell / Photocall Ireland
Pandemic had ‘horrendous’ impact on efforts to cut waiting lists, says Reid

Long waiting lists the result of ‘legacy issues’ and will not be solved within one year

Medical Laboratory Scientists Association members at the Mater Hospital during a one-day strike over pay and career development issues. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times
Concern for patient safety as medical scientists embark on campaign of industrial action

Union says its members carry out identical work as biochemists but are paid on average 8 per cent less

World Health Organisation secretary general Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said Covid-19 cases rose in four out of six regions of the world last week. Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images
Unexplained hepatitis cases rise to 429 across 22 countries, WHO says

Six children died with hepatitis and 26 needed transplants with cause being investigated

Thousands of procedures and outpatient appointments are likely to be cancelled as a result of the industrial action by almost 2,000 members of the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association. Photograph: iStock
Hospitals face disruption due to one-day strike by lab scientists

Medical laboratory scientists’ group seeking pay parity with biochemists in hospitals

A computer generated impression of the new National Maternity Hospital.
St Vincent’s Healthcare Group says ownership of NMH site is ‘essential’

James Menton tells committee two owners would make it difficult to manage campus

The HSE’s ‘patient experience time’ target of six hours seems almost meaningless, with less than one-third of patients dealt with in this time. File photograph: Getty
Health service implicated in chronic problem of access

Sense of helplessness fuels lack of interest among the public weary of rolling crisis

Patients attending Tallaght University Hospital have the longest waits in the country – an average of 24.5 hours from registration to admission. Photograph: David Sleator
Emergency department delays worst on record with seriously ill waiting 13 hours for admission

HSE figures show 40% of patients in State wait 12 hours or more for hospital admission

Ronan Glynn would have been a strong favourite to become the next State chief medical officer. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Ronan Glynn latest in long line of top medics to exit health service

Lack of order in health, long hours and organisational stasis accelerating brain drain

Deputy chief medical officer Dr Ronan Glynn will resign effective May 31st 2022. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
Dr Ronan Glynn resigns as deputy chief medical officer

Glynn resignation follows in the footsteps of outgoing CMO Dr Tony Holohan

Ireland is ‘a disgrace’ when it comes to ensuring at-risk people are properly protected against abuse, said Patricia Rickard Clarke of Sage Advocacy. File photograph: John Stillwell/PA Wire
Reported 16,000 elder abuse cases in five years ‘the tip of the iceberg’

Safeguarding group says HSE figures do not cover abuse in nursing homes and hospitals

All cervical cancer samples from Irish women this year have been sent abroad for screening. Photograph: Getty Images
Cervical cancer screening set to resume after cyberattack stoppage

Women’s samples sent abroad in 2022 despite pledges in wake of CervicalCheck scandal

Overall, most patients report having a good experience in hospital, with 83 per cent rating their hospital care as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. Photograph: iStock
One-quarter of patients are admitted to EDs within six hours, survey finds

4% said they had waited 48 hours or more to be admitted to a ward

The Coombe hospital traditionally processed about 10 per cent of the total number of samples taken from women here but now Quest Diagnostics in the US is processing all Irish samples. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Ireland’s cervical cancer samples still being screened abroad

Only screening lab here, at the Coombe hospital, stopped processing samples last year after cyberattack

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said in his latest report that deaths involving Covid-19 remain ‘relatively stable’. Photograph: Collins
Number of Covid-19 patients in hospital at eight-month low

Holohan says despite the fall hospital system remains under considerable pressure

A total of 211 people with Covid-19 have died in nursing homes, community hospitals and long-stay units in the current wave of the pandemic, since Christmas, according to the HPSC. They ranged in age from 52 to 101 years. Photograph: Kirsty O’Connor/PA Wire
Number of Covid-19 outbreaks up for first time since March

Fourteen virus-related deaths reported last week, with an average age of 78

Robert Watt, Secretary General at the Department of Health told the committee the proposed secondment was in line with Government policy to enhance public health capacity. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill
Watt accused of ‘breathtaking arrogance’ over proposed Holohan secondment

Committee examining plan for Dr Holohan to move to new role at Trinity College

The next period is likely to be filled with assurances by many in health, including Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and the two hospitals, that the independence of the new facility will be guaranteed. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Maternity hospital move gets mired even deeper in controversy

Despite desperate assurances over governance, public has lost faith in this project

More than 5,000 new Covid-19 cases were reported over the bank holiday weekend as the level of infection in the community continued to decline. Photograph: iStock
Further 5,000 Covid-19 cases reported over bank holiday weekend

Number in ICU remains stable as level of infection in community continues to fall

Being overweight or obese is the fourth most common risk factor for non-infectious disease. Photograph: iStock
Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in Ireland, WHO says

Ireland ranks ninth in Europe for obesity in adults as pandemic compounds issues

Almost 343,000 people are waiting to see a surgeon for the first time, 100,000 of whom have been on the waiting list for more than 18 months, according to Prof Deborah McNamara. Photograph: iStock
At least 200,000 people missed essential surgery due to Covid, conference told

Thought to be significant pent-up demand after surgeries dropped 20% in pandemic

Pedestrians walk along Drottninggatan, the main shopping street in Stockholm in 2021. Photograph: Mikael Sjoberg/Bloomberg
Sweden’s policymaker defends Covid response at Dublin conference

Country’s approach similar to others and had similar results, Dr Anders Tegnell says

While the cost of anti-cancer drugs is high and rising, these costs are not related to the benefits provided in terms of overall survival, the study published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science says. Photograph: Lynne Cameron/PA Wire
Just one in five new cancer treatments available to Irish patients

Delays in reimbursing new treatments may affect course of illnesses, study says

The number of people with Covid-19 in hospital and in ICU continues to decline overall. Photograph: Alan Betson
Covid-19 death toll passes 7,000 two years into pandemic

Weekend figures show cases and hospital admissions are all in decline

A report found 240 children in south Kerry had received substandard care, and 46 had suffered significant harm. Photograph: iStock
Camhs whistleblower to take legal action against HSE over treatment

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Ankur Sharma has filed a complaint to the WRC

Concerns were raised by nursing staff at St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny in connection with five patients who attended the hospital for hysteroscopy procedures
HSE to consider court ruling over reinstatement of gynaecologist

Prof Ray O’Sullivan on paid leave after concerns raised over patient research

Kate Bohan, sales operations manager with Lidl Ireland, with her son, Luca. Her partner is pregnant with the couple’s second baby through IVF. Photograph: Naoise Culhane
Lidl Ireland to offer paid fertility leave to its staff

German chain becomes latest large employer to offer employees paid time off for IVF cycles

Official figures for deaths in the pandemic are regarded as underestimates due to some deaths not being attributed to the virus. Photograph: Alan Betson
Covid-19 death toll in Ireland to pass 7,000 in coming days

Most lethal period of the pandemic was between January and February 2021

A report found hundreds of children received 'risky' treatment from a doctor and significant harm was caused to 46 of them. File photograph: Getty
Prescribing practices and guidelines focus of Camhs audit

Inquiry follows report of ‘risky’ treatment of children in south Kerry

The rollout of a second booster to people aged 12 and over with weakened immune systems has also begun. File photograph: Emily Elconin/The New York Times
Rollout of second booster against Covid-19 to over-65s to begin

PCR-confirmed cases fall by 40%; Limerick hospital sets record for overcrowding

Martin Malinowski spent two years on the waiting list, all the time trying to avoid contracting Covid. Photograph: Julien Behal
First Irish heart and liver transplant carried out on Co Monaghan patient

Martin Malinowski underwent procedure last year and has made ‘great strides’ in recovery

The review in to the Kerry Camhs service was published in January. File photograph: PA
Camhs controversy: Children identified by Maskey report eligible for compensation – Butler

Number of recipients may change if other children come forward, Minister of State says

According to the National Office of Clinical Audit, about 6,000 people are admitted to hospital with a heart attack every year. Photograph: Alan Betson
Call for help as soon as heart attack symptoms begin, report advises

Only 37% of patients suffering major heart attack seek help within hour of symptoms

Under the scheme, the State Claims Agency will make a €5,000 payment to eligible applicants to cover initial expenses.
Camhs controversy: compensation scheme for Kerry mental health services opened

HSE has written to those identified in report on child and adolescent mental health services

The number of nursing homes with active outbreaks has fallen from a high of 122 earlier in the spring to 52 last week.
Almost 15,000 test positive for Covid-19 over Easter break

Overall, the number of cases continues to fall, Department of HEalth confirm

The exact cause of hepatitis in affected children remains unknown, according to the ECDC. Photograph: iStock
Number of unexplained hepatitis cases in children continues to grow – ECDC

Investigations ongoing into cases in Ireland, UK, Denmark, Netherlands and Spain

Anne O’Connor, chief operations officer of the HSE, who is leaving to work for VHI. Photograph: Alan Betson
‘There aren’t enough good people out there’: Why can’t the HSE find more staff?

Young staff emigrating and older staff retiring early part of complex chain of problems

Dr John Cannon, chair of the IMO non-consultant hospital doctors committee, says many doctors are burned out working in a system that is so ‘resource-poor’ and relies on ‘mind-blowingly bad’ technology. Photograph: James Connolly
Four out of five junior doctors say they are at risk of burnout

Huge support for industrial action among non-consultant hospital doctors, research shows

Paxlovid being manufactured in Freiburg, Germany. Photograph: Pfizer/EPA
‘Game-changing’ Covid antiviral to be available in hospitals next week

Only inpatients will have access to Paxlovid; sotrovimab deemed ineffective against BA.2

Paxlovid has been available in the UK, including Northern Ireland, since January. File photograph: iStock
Supplies of Pfizer’s ‘game changer’ Covid-19 antiviral drug arrive in Ireland

Studies show Paxlovid prevents death from coronavirus if taken soon enough

A local resident is tested at a mass testing site in Beijing as China steps up efforts to control a surge in Covid-19 cases. Researchers have found Covid-19 increases the risk of clotting. Photograph: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images
Risk of blood clots rises in Covid-19 patients, Swedish study finds

Researchers find increased chance of clots on lungs up to six months after infection

There continues to be challenges in the provision of scheduled care for patients due to the surge in Covid cases in hospital and in emergency department attendances, Paul Reid says. Photograph: Alan Betson
Plan costing €350m to cut hospital waiting lists ‘challenged’ by Covid surge

Action plan to reduce healthcare waiting lists by 18 per cent was launched five weeks ago

Each hospital will receive one announced inspection and one unannounced inspection from Hiqa staff. Photograph: iStock
Public hospitals to be inspected twice every three years under monitoring plan

Inspections will focus on leadership, governance and management of services

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly says regardless of whether Trinity College or the Department of Health funds the salary of Dr Tony Holohan, ‘it is all public money’. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Donnelly ‘fully supports’ Tony Holohan’s move to Trinity College

Minister rejects suggestions that Department will be paying for two chief medical officers

The administration of second boosters is likely to start within weeks, says Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly. File photograph: Javier Torres/AFP via Getty
Covid: Second booster vaccine approved for everyone aged 65 and older

Niac recommends second booster for immunocompromised people aged 12 and older

The Rotunda Hospital last week ratified Prof Sean Daly as its 40th master. File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Rotunda process used to pick next master ‘needs to be challenged’

Top obstetrics and gynaecology expert echoes ‘outrage’ expressed by ‘dozens’ of doctors

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan: According to Trinity College, the post of professor of public health strategy and leadership was ‘created with Dr Holohan in mind’. Photograph: Julien Behal
Taoiseach had ‘no hand, act or part’ in Tony Holohan job move

Chief Medical Officer’s secondment to TCD criticised in Dáil as ‘evidence of a cosy cartel’

The Government’s decision to lift most Covid-19 restrictions at the end of February was followed by a ‘dramatic change’ in people’s behaviour, according to new research from the ESRI. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Lifting of Covid-19 curbs led to ‘dramatic change’ in public behaviour, research finds

More than 7,700 new cases reported on Tuesday as numbers in hospital and ICU fall

The regional health areas will mean the alignment of health services in hospitals and in the community. File photograph: The Irish Times
Cabinet to be presented with plan for regional health areas

New bodies considered essential to Sláintecare reform agenda, first announced in 2019

A four-year Sláintecare plan to eliminate waiting lists has been shredded and those behind it have left. File photograph: The Irish Times
Health service crisis being driven by internal legacy problems

Analysis: Little or no willingness to tackle hospital overcrowding and long waiting lists

Sinn Féin health spokesman David Cullinane: “With some buildings remaining unused for decades, you’d have to question whether the HSE has an effective plan in place for the use of these sites.” Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
HSE owns hundreds of unused buildings, figures show

Call for vacant infrastructure to be put into service or used as accommodation

Prof Sean Daly has been appointed as next master of the Rotunda Hospital. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times
Rotunda Hospital fast-tracks ratification of Prof Sean Daly as new master

TCD obstetrics professor criticises gender imbalance in interview process

‘Our hospitals have been hanging together by a thread of goodwill of staff but that is about to snap.’ Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Reintroduce mask-wearing rules, say ‘exhausted’ hospital staff

Taoiseach confirms that pandemic emergency powers will be allowed expire

The evaluation of ivermectin involved 3,515 Covid patients in Brazil, who were given the drug, a placebo or another intervention. Photograph: Getty
Ivermectin study finds drug does not reduce Covid hospitalisation rate

Drug was widely touted as a cure for the disease despite little evidence of its efficacy

On Wednesday the Health Protection Surveillance Centre was notified of a further 5,381 PCR-confirmed cases of Covid-19
Covid-19: Outbreaks reach highest level so far in 2022, new figures show

High numbers may be due to under-reporting over bank holiday weekend

The Irish Medical Organisation has called an emergency meeting of non-consultant hospital doctors to address ‘flagrant contractual breaches’. Photograph: iStock
Junior doctors may strike over deteriorating working conditions, IMO says

Non-consultant hospital doctors working ‘illegal hours, often without correct pay’

The UNFPA says almost half of all pregnancies – about 121 million a year – are unintended. Photograph: iStock
Irish contraceptive use among the world’s highest, says UN report

UNFPA report estimates 6% of Irish women have unmet need for family planning

A former master of the Coombe Women’s Hospital, Prof Seán Daly (59) will be the first person to have led two of Dublin’s maternity hospitals. Photograph: Alan Betson
Rotunda master role runners-up express dismay at choice of male

Two unsuccessful female candidates voice disappointment as Prof Seán Daly selected

Prof Sean Daly. Photograph: Alan Betson
New Rotunda master Sean Daly will make it ‘maternity hospital of choice’, staff told

Board delighted with ‘visionary, highly qualified candidate’, says current master

On Sunday, 221 patients with the disease had been admitted to hospital within the past 24 hours, on top of 235 recorded on Saturday and a pandemic record of 235 on Friday. File photograph: PA
Covid-19: BA.2 variant accounts for nearly 95% of Irish infections

Health system creaking as almost 700 patients with virus admitted to hospital since Friday

Data provided by the Department of Health shows the spread of BA.2 infections to the near-exclusion of other variants. Photograph: iStock
Highly transmissible BA.2 variant accounts for 95% of Covid infections in Ireland

Delta variant which was dominant late last year is no longer found here

The Covid pandemic continues to heap pressure on the health service. Photograph: iStock
Almost 700 patients with Covid-19 admitted to hospital since Friday

Number of virus patients in hospital exceeds 1,500 for first time since January 2021

It was always likely Covid-19 cases might rise once restrictions were lifted but the likelihood of the current full-blown wave so soon was discounted.
Ireland was caught off guard by the latest full-blown Covid wave

One in every 25 people is infected, though the true proportion is probably higher

There were 78 vacant beds across the system and 11 hospitals had no beds free. Photograph: Alan Betson
Covid hospital admissions rose to 1,466 on Friday

Widespread cancellation of non-urgent care expected as cases set to rise further

Dr Tony Holohan: As the public face of the fight against Covid-19, the Department of Health’s chief medical officer was lauded widely and at times elevated to near-sainthood at the height of the pandemic. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Tony Holohan helped to win public backing needed in Ireland’s Covid-19 response

Even by extraordinary standards of pandemic, CMO has had a tumultuous two years

The reduction reflects the milder impact of the Omicron variant compared with previous variants, and higher vaccination and booster levels among pregnant women. Photograph: iStock
Number of pregnant women with Covid requiring ICU falls dramatically

Two pregnant virus patients admitted to ICU since December, compared with 39 in fourth wave

There were 1,338 Covid-19 patients in Irish hospitals yesterday, an increase of 31 on the previous day, including 61 in intensive care, up from 37 on March 11th. Photograph: Alan Betson
Covid-19: New restrictions ruled out despite surge in cases

World Health Organisation warns Ireland lifted public health curbs too ‘brutally’

Chief executive Paul Reid said the HSE accepted the judgment and would not be appealing it. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
HSE to revise children’s disability needs assessment after court ruling, Reid says

Health service will not appeal High Court decision to strike down current process

In December, UK researchers found the most common symptoms of Covid-19 were a runny nose, headaches, fatigue, sneezing and sore throats. Photograph: iStock
Gastro-intestinal problems appearing in Covid patients, says GP

Illona Duffy says some cases are remaining positive for much longer than before

Recent research estimates voluntary compliance on mask-wearing at two-thirds of the population. Photograph: iStock
Covid: Ireland lifted controls too ‘brutally’, says WHO, as case numbers hit near-record

Mandatory mask-wearing should be reintroduced, Prof Luke O’Neill and INMO say

Waning vaccine immunity is thought to be one of the factors behind the increase in cases and serious illness.
Q&A: Do I need a second booster shot given the rising cases of Covid-19?

Moderna applies for emergency use authorisation in the US for a second booster for adults

There were 1,081 Covid-19 patients in hospital on Wednesday morning. File photograph: The Irish Times
Philip Nolan plays down Covid rise which may be part of ‘exit wave’

More than 4,000 healthcare workers off due to Covid amid unprecedented hospital demand

The daily number of antigen tests reported along with PCR tests is almost certainly an underestimate. Photograph: Paul Yeung/Bloomberg
Rise in number with Covid-19 in hospital prompts concern

No policy rethink yet despite increasing strain on hospitals

The HSE’s chief clinical officer Dr Colm Henry said: “Of course, we’re worried.” File photograph: Nick Bradshaw
‘Of course we’re worried’: More than 1,000 patients in hospital with Covid-19

Public health officials planning to ‘reboot’ messaging around coronavirus protection

“The stipulation that someone with severe mental illness who lacks capacity cannot access treatment unless they pose a serious threat to themselves or others is stigmatising for mentally ill patients,” says the College of Psychiatrists.
Psychiatrists oppose ‘potentially catastrophic’ planned changes to involuntary detention

Shift to ‘serious risk’ grounds criticised by College of Psychiatrists

Mr Buttimer expressed concern that St Patrick’s Day celebrations will lead to a further rise in infections and serious illness. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Covid-19: Fears of St Patrick’s Day surge as number in hospital set to exceed 1,000 again

FG Senator calls for return of compulsory mask-wearing in shops and public transport

Antigen tests are now essential for monitoring the spread of Covid-19. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
There are more people in hospital with Covid than in late January. Why?

It’s no longer headline news and seldom causes serious illness, but it is still spreading

Masked commuters on a Dublin bus on March 1st, the day after restrictions were lifted. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw for The Irish Times
Covid-19: Positive test results hit highest level since restrictions lifted

Fivefold increase in PCR-confirmed cases since Wednesday blamed on technical issues

A donation coordinated by the HSE includes 10,000 bio protection suits, 50,000 medical protective masks and 2,583 litres of disinfectant. Photograph: EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY
Thousands of blood bags and protective suits among Irish aid sent to Ukraine

Irish Blood Transfusion Service donated 4,000 blood bags this week

The new study provides the first peer-reviewed estimates of excess deaths due to the pandemic for 191 countries. Photograph: Patrick Bolger/Bloomberg
Covid-19: Ireland had one of lowest excess death rates in world, study finds

Lancet journal research estimates global death toll three times higher than official records

Patients in hospital with the virus increased again on Thursday to 877, up 48 on the previous day, and the highest figure since late January. File photograph: The Irish Times
Coronavirus testing may be derailed due to strike action

Medical laboratory scientists announce intention to take action over unfilled posts

HSE chief executive Paul Reid said an independent authorised person was being appointed to investigate a protected disclosure made by the whistleblower, Dr Ankur Sharma. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
Independent expert to investigate claim Camhs whistleblower ‘sidelined’

Paul Reid says ‘absolutely not’ HSE policy to ask staff to leave after making protected disclosures

Rise in Covid-19 hospital figures comes at a time when there are record numbers attending emergency departments. Photograph: Alan Betson
HSE warns of strain as numbers hospitalised with Covid-19 surge

Rise in infections having a ‘very disruptive effect’ on healthcare services, Colm Henry says

On some days, there can be over 1,000 patients waiting for admission - or 10 per cent of all beds in the country, according to Dr Mick Molloy of the Irish Medical Organisation. Photograph: Patrick Bolger/Bloomberg
Trolley numbers being massaged by hospitals, committee hears

Real number waiting for admission could be twice as high as HSE’s official count, TDs hear

There were 129 Covid-19 outbreaks last week, 29 more than the previous week, according to the latest update from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. Photograph: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Number of Covid-19 outbreaks in hospital more than doubled last week

Six-week high in number of patients with illness recorded

Contracts will ‘provide Government with absolute assurance that everything there will be just like it is here [in Holles Street]’, the Minister for Health said. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Proposals to ensure independence of new maternity hospital set to go to HSE board – Donnelly

Government memo setting out terms of hospital licence to follow, Minister says

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