Interview

An agreement was signed recently that aims to further progress cancer care and research on the island of Ireland, despite Brexit and Covid-19. CEO of Cancer Trials Ireland Ms Eibhlín Mulroe spoke with Pat Kelly about the implications of the deal The Ireland-Northern Ireland-US National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Consortium agreement was first signed in…

David Lynch speaks to Prof Seamus O’Mahony about his latest book, The Ministry of Bodies, the doctor-patient paradigm, and the contemplative life Shortly after his recent retirement as Consultant Gastroenterologist at Cork University Hospital, Prof Seamus O’Mahony published his third book, The Ministry of Bodies. It has received positive reviews, including in the Irish Independent,…

Niamh Cahill speaks with new ICGP President Dr Margaret O’Riordan about how the pandemic has affected general practice and positive developments for the specialty that offer hope for the future “There isn’t a single GP in the country who isn’t tired right now. Every time you get over one hurdle there seems to be another…

Clinical Director of Diabetic RetinaScreen Prof David Keegan speaks to Niamh Cahill about the impact of Covid-19 on the service and reveals improvements made by the programme since its inception in 2013 It has been a tumultuous 12 months for healthcare services and staff. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, progress is being achieved…

Consultant Haematologist Prof James O’Donnell speaks with Pat Kelly about new breakthrough research, which could identify those patients at highest risk of severe complications from Covid-19 and open the door for personalised treatment New research led by the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Science, in collaboration with a number of other centres, has the…

Dr Padraig McGarry’s time as IMO President has been unusually long and has taken place during extraordinary times. He talks with David Lynch about the challenges posed by Covid-19 and the pressing issues facing the medical profession Longford GP Dr Padraig McGarry is not meant to still be the President of the IMO. One of…

Public health doctors have borne tremendous strain during the current pandemic. The breakdown in talks over promised reforms and the Government’s failure to grant consultant status have resulted in planned strike action for January. Niamh Cahill speaks to Chair of the IMO’s public health committee Dr Ina Kelly about the issues involved On 31 December,…

Dr Sarah O’Beirne, Consultant Respiratory Physician at St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, speaks to Niamh Cahill about how the sudden shifts in respiratory services caused by Covid-19 could have a lasting impact One of the most significant outcomes of the pandemic to date has been immense change in our healthcare services. As the virus spread…

Ahead of World Thrombosis Day, Consultant Haematologist Dr Barry Kevane spoke with Pat Kelly about the need to identify patients at risk of thrombosis and how those with Covid-19 are at increased risk of the condition Thrombosis is the third-largest cause of mortality worldwide and experts in the field have long been calling for increased…

Mr Kevin O’Boyle, Senior Medical Scientist and Chairperson of the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA), speaks to Niamh Cahill about the many challenges facing the profession Hospitals and their patients rely on hospital laboratory staff to provide clinical results round the clock. Lives depend on it. The existence of a significant recruitment and retention issue…