Posts by Paul

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has warned that Covid-19 is having a significant, negative impact on mental health across the community.  The College has published findings of a survey of 180 psychiatrists (members of the College) examining the impact of Covid-19 on mental health in the seven-month period from June 2020 to the end of December…

The RCPI’s Director of Health and Wellbeing has said that for many doctors the recent cyberattack on the HSE has felt like “the last straw on top of a long winter”. The cyberattack occurred at a time when healthcare professionals had begun to be hopeful of emerging from the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, according…

The HSE cyber attack has slowed down the complex investigation of Covid-19 positive cases as digital systems remain shut down, according to Public Health Specialist and IMO President Dr Ina Kelly.  Speaking to the Medical Independent (MI), Dr Kelly said that the attack had reduced the speed at which analyses occur and had “cut down access to…

Ireland has officially declared the B.1.617.2 or Indian variant of SARS CoV-2 as a “variant of concern” (VOC), according to updated guidance from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).  The declaration was made on 10 May, one day prior to the variant being officially named as a VOC by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Prior…

The Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has called the proposed deal to recognise public health specialists as consultants a “landmark” agreement. Speaking in a pre-recorded speech broadcast at the IMO’s AGM 2021, the Minister acknowledged the reforms had been sought by public health doctors for decades. “I was delighted to be able to reach agreement…

The Department of Health has kept structures in place that are dedicated to the impact of the UK leaving the EU, despite the recent ‘Brexit’ deal, the Medical Independent (MI) has been told. The Department established dedicated structures to respond to Brexit in 2019, which brought together relevant units across the Department and other agencies.…

Covid-19 vaccinations for the 75-79 year old age category due to get underway this week have been suspended by the HSE due to reduction in vaccine supplies.  Around 120 practices due to get deliveries for this age group this week will not receive any supplies. According to the HSE, the priority this week is to…

The non-EU doctors group Train Us for Ireland has welcomed the decision by the Department of Justice to establish a new temporary system that aims to “significantly clear” a backlog of Irish citizenship applications. The temporary system, which has been in place since 18 January, enables applicants to complete their naturalisation process by signing a…

More than 90,000 people over the age of 80 will have received their first Covid-19 vaccine dose by the end of this week, according to the Chair of the IMO GP Committee Dr Denis McCauley. Around 50,000 vaccinations occurred in the community last week while 42,000 vaccines will be delivered this week by 500 GP…