More health news in brief.
• FEWER KIDS EATING SCHOOL MEALS: Efforts to get children to eat healthier school meals may have prompted a drop in the number of pupils taking school dinners, it was claimed today.
A survey for BBC News found schools cited celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's campaign as one of the reasons for a fall in the number of children taking school dinners this term.
BBC News said that of the 59 authorities which responded to the survey, in more than half - 35 areas - the number had gone down. Of those, 71 per cent believed Jamie Oliver's campaign was a reason.
Six areas said they had more pupils taking meals, while eight reported no change, and 10 said the changes were not applicable.
Two-thirds also said children did not like the new menus.
• REMEMBERING MISCARRIAGE: The Miscarriage Association of Ireland will host its annual Service of Remembrance in St Theresa's Church, Donore Avenue, South Circular Road, Dublin at 3pm on Sunday, November 12th.
This is a non-denominational service with music, readings and meditations.
Anyone who has been affected by miscarriage at any time in the past is welcome to attend.
For additional information, contact June O'Toole at tel: 086-2672519/ 01-843 0124 or log on to www.miscarriage.ie
• NURSING HOME SUBVENTIONS QUESTIONED: Minister for Health Mary Harney is being called on to address inequity in private nursing home subvention payments between the east and the west of the country, writes Michelle McDonagh.
Fine Gael Galway East senator Ulick Burke claimed the elderly in the HSE West region of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon were being discriminated against by the inequity in subvention payments between one health executive area and another.
"In Co Galway, the maximum rate of subvention for a private nursing home is €190 per week, whereas a person with less or, in some cases, more means can receive a subvention of €600 in the eastern region.
Why does that level of discrepancy exist?" Mr Burke asked.
• EQUIP GYMS FOR HEART ATTACKS: Labour's Mary Upton has called on local authorities to ensure gyms and sports amenities are equipped to deal with cardiac arrests.
Dublin City Council is piloting the use of defibrillators in gyms, but has no plans to roll them out.
"Gyms are becoming more common place in communities around Dublin in particular," said Ms Upton.
"This is a very welcome development, especially in disadvantaged areas which have - for too long - lacked recreational facilities and are characterised by poor health indicators.
"People push their bodies during physical exercise and this can result in cardiac arrest. Those who are not used to regular exercise can be particularly at risk," she said.
"Equipment such as a defibrillator can prevent tragedies from occurring.
"Local authorities should ensure that all gyms under their stewardship are properly equipped to deal with cardiac instances.
"This also means that trained staff should be available at all times to operate the equipment in emergency situations," she said.
"Private gyms should also be obliged - under planning stipulations - to have the necessary equipment and trained staff in place to deal with major health emergencies," Ms Upton said.
• UPDATE ON DEPRESSION: Prof Patrick McKeon, medical director of St Patrick's Hospital, Dublin, will give an update on research into depression at the next Aware monthly lecture tomorrow.
The talk starts at 7.30pm in the Swift Centre, St Patrick's Hospital.
Admission is free and all are welcome.
• CORK CENTRE PLANNED: Planning permission for a new medical centre, including specialist services for children, in Wilton, Cork is to be sought by the 3G Partnership on a site beside Cork University Hospital at Bishopstown.
The centre would include facilities for a day surgery, imaging and oncology services, a specialist children's clinic and a walk-in urgent care centre that will deal with minor injuries and illnesses.