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A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Inclusion Ireland CEO Derval McDonagh: A ground up approach is needed. File picture: Karl Hussey</p>

comment-analysis

Change in disability care is possible — it just requires planning

Young people with disabilities face a cliff edge when their parents die. It doesn't have to be this way

<p>Women's health advocate, speaker and author Laura Dowling on the Tommy Tiernan Show. Picture: Tommy Tiernan Show/RTE.</p>

culture

Tommy Tiernan Show recap: Laura Dowling on ending stigma surrounding women's intimate health

<p>HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster promised to respond to Liam Quaide's query about the number of psychology posts. File picture: Arthur Ellis</p>

politics

HSE accused of concealing scale of waiting list crisis

Gareth O'Callaghan.png

SGareth O'Callaghan: What weeks in Cork University Hospital taught me about fear, faith and survival

Doctor and female patient sitting at the desk and talking in clinic near window. Medicine and health care concept. Green is ma

munster

'Shocking' data shows cancer patients face postcode lottery for timely treatment

Cork community gardens to be highlighted at national event

munster

Cork community gardens to be highlighted at national event

Spain performs pioneering face transplant from donor who requested assisted dying

Spain performs pioneering face transplant from donor who requested assisted dying

At the Vall d'Hebron hospital in Barcelona, the grateful recipient said: 'I'm starting to look more like myself'

Mon, 02 Feb, 2026

Aptamil infant formula recall

Baby food fears: Inspectors visit Cork and Wexford plants amid toxin scare

Department of Agriculture dispatches inspectors to factories as global concern grows around baby food production

Sun, 01 Feb, 2026

Smoke from the chimney

Illegal smoky coal and wet wood still being sold in Cork despite 2022 ban

Council inspectors target wholesale fuel suppliers as councillors warn illegal smoky coal is still harming vulnerable communities

Sun, 01 Feb, 2026

Hands holding glasses with beer on a table in London

Hazardous drinking leading to 'horrific injuries' every week in CUH, says doctor

Dr Eoin Fogarty, of Cork University Hospital, says he has seen young people "suffer life-altering events where they have sustained serious injuries needing long-term care, potentially ending up in nursing homes".

Fri, 30 Jan, 2026

Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird: How much is my life worth to the HSE?

Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird: How much is my life worth to the HSE?

'I’ve lost a lot of my fine motor skills, my eyesight is getting fuzzier, and my speech is slurring a lot more. I would give anything for this drug'

Mon, 26 Jan, 2026

Extremist views widespread in England's classrooms, say teachers

One in three pupils in disadvantaged schools missing a month or more of class, ESRI finds

New ESRI analysis shows chronic absenteeism remains entrenched in disadvantaged and special schools despite years passing since Covid

Mon, 26 Jan, 2026

Mick Clifford: Why the Enoch Burke saga is bigger than one teacher or one school

Mick Clifford: Why the Enoch Burke saga is bigger than one teacher or one school

The Enoch Burke case highlights legal uncertainty, policy paralysis and how culture-war politics risk eclipsing students’ real needs

Sun, 25 Jan, 2026

HSE's free contraception scheme 'should be expanded'

HSE's free contraception scheme 'should be expanded'

HSE data shows that, excluding general appointments, costs came to €31,396,464 last year. This included costs for contraceptive items of €16,472,479

Fri, 23 Jan, 2026

Darina Allen says school meals should be sourced locally and made from scratch

Darina Allen says school meals should be sourced locally and made from scratch

Darina Allen said her concerns that the programme was 'not fit for purpose' were shared by food professionals, academics and parents

Thu, 22 Jan, 2026

UHL accused of 'cover-up' to protect surgeon found guilty of professional misconduct over death of teenager

UHL accused of 'cover-up' to protect surgeon found guilty of professional misconduct over death of teenager

TD calls for criminal investigation into hospital amid 'allegations of tampering with evidence and misleading an independent inquiry'

Wed, 21 Jan, 2026

CHI hospitals can continue to train doctors, Medical Council determines

CHI hospitals can continue to train doctors, Medical Council determines

Medical Council inspectors approve training standards at CHI but warn outdated HR and IT systems are undermining patient safety

Wed, 21 Jan, 2026

Mary Lou McDonald interview

Family forced to drive 90km to hospital as ambulance service could not respond to emergency, Dáil hears

Mary Lou McDonald said that the Government had been told in 2022 that 2,000 additional staff were needed in the service

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

WOMAN Dreams 4

Dental scheme for medical card holders 'in a state of crisis'

Fewer than 600 dentists currently operate under the scheme, which remains restricted to emergency care and extractions, according to the chief executive of the Irish Dental Association.

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

Chris Luke: Children need a healthy fear of inhaling gases

Chris Luke: Children need a healthy fear of inhaling gases

Don't leave it up to grieving parents — it's up to all of us to show kids the consequences of 'huffing' or volatile substance abuse

Mon, 12 Jan, 2026

State's medicines bill is double what we spend on defence – health minister

State's medicines bill is double what we spend on defence – health minister

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill's comments are echoed by health economist who warned that Ireland paying high prices for medicines 'does more harm than good'

Sun, 11 Jan, 2026

Young Scientist: Kerry student wins top prize for 'extraordinary' brain cancer diagnostic tool

Young Scientist: Kerry student wins top prize for 'extraordinary' brain cancer diagnostic tool

Tralee 15-year-old Aoibheann Daly is hailed for her 'extraordinary achievement' which could help doctors improve the treatment of brain cancer

Fri, 09 Jan, 2026

Nestlé recalls several infant formula products over fears of food poisoning

Nestlé recalls several infant formula products over fears of food poisoning

No related illnesses have yet been reported

Mon, 05 Jan, 2026

Migrant health workers in Ireland living in fear of racist abuse, warns medic

Migrant health workers in Ireland living in fear of racist abuse, warns medic

In many towns across Ireland, Dr Liqa Ur Rehman says, migrant doctors have formed private WhatsApp groups to help ensure their own safety

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Female doctor therapist listening to patient complaints, filling form

Ballyvolane primary care centre in Cork gets green light

Four-storey centre off the Ballyhooly Rd on Cork's northside is also expected to serve Mayfield, the Glen, St Luke’s, and Dublin Hill

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

Visiting his Elderly Relative

John Lonergan: How older people can keep their spirits up this winter

Age Friendly ambassador John Lonergan offers practical tips for older people — and their friends and neighbours too — to mind their wellbeing through the long dark months

Fri, 26 Dec, 2025

Cork nurse suffering from long covid could lose home as payment ends

Cork nurse suffering from long covid could lose home as payment ends

The special leave with pay scheme for healthcare workers which was initiated during the pandemic to ensure full pay for those suffering with long covid will end this month

Sun, 14 Dec, 2025

Drugs Illustration

Ecstasy alert: HSE warns drug users about high-dose MDMA

One pill doesn’t mean one dose: HSE advises of the risk from ecstasy pills containing as much as 300mg of MDMA — 'the highest [dosage] we've ever seen in Ireland'

Fri, 12 Dec, 2025

Female leg stepping on weigh scales with measuring tape.

Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro: Why Ireland is struggling to fund the new weight-loss drugs

New weight-loss drugs promise transformative benefits, but soaring demand and massive cost projections leave Ireland facing difficult funding choices

Sun, 07 Dec, 2025

Gareth O'Callaghan: ECT is unsafe, say campaigners. So why is it still used in Irish hospitals?

S Gareth O'Callaghan: ECT is unsafe, say campaigners. So why is it still used in Irish hospitals?

New legislation may ban ECT for under-18s, but wider concerns over safety, memory loss and ethics remain unresolved in Ireland

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Travellers suffer in healthcare settings 'due to racism and discrimination'

Travellers suffer in healthcare settings 'due to racism and discrimination'

The new study was led by UCD in collaboration with Pavee Point and the HSE’s national cancer control programme

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

Mounjaro price increase

Mounjaro makers to explore solutions to allow weight-loss jab to be publicly funded

HSE has been advised the drug is not value for money

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

Middle aged asia people old mom holding hands trust comfort help young woman talk crying stress relief at home. Mum as friend lo

State is ‘utterly failing vulnerable children’ on Camhs wait lists

New HSE data shows Cork and Kerry account for over half of all year-long Camhs waits as TDs demand urgent action

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

christmas caution

Parents urged to put safety at top of Santa's list this Christmas

Doctor offers advice about bikes, e-scooters, helmets, and phones for older children — and the risk of choking hazards in toys for toddlers

Thu, 04 Dec, 2025

UHL urges public to avoid emergency department as 350 people attend in one day

UHL urges public to avoid emergency department as 350 people attend in one day

Hospital warns of severe pressure on its emergency department and asks the public to seek alternative care for non-urgent needs

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Staying home with flu virus

ieExplains: Here's what you need to know about the new flu strain in Ireland

The winter flu season has started earlier than usual in Ireland, with 'highly virulent' new strain — H3N2 subclade K — causing concern

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Hand holding red ribbon symbolizing HIV AIDS awareness and support on World AIDS Day concept.

World Aids Day: HIV/Aids can be treated and prevented — but we have yet to cure the stigma

HIV is now a treatable condition and its transmission is preventable, yet we are seeing new cases every day

Mon, 01 Dec, 2025

Congress Kennedy

Gareth O'Callaghan: Vaccination is vital for people with chronic illness as covid and flu season returns

Gareth O'Callaghan on living with COPD, the return of flu and covid, and why vaccine misinformation — especially from RFK Jr — puts vulnerable people at risk

Sat, 29 Nov, 2025

Sick couple sneezing together covering mouth with wipes in a park

Up to 1,500 could be hospitalised with flu by Christmas week – minister

A new flu strain 'subclade K' now circulating in Ireland is said to cause more severe symptoms than previous strains of influenza

Fri, 28 Nov, 2025

Chronic delays to health scans: 'This is growing all the time, it’s inside me and it’s growing'

Unpublished NTPF data highlights long waiting time for scans which could reveal diagnoses of serious illnesses such as cancer or heart disease

Mon, 24 Nov, 2025

Patient lying inside a medical scanner in hospital

More than 46,000 people waiting longer than 18 months for vital scans

A growing population, more over-75s, and higher rates of cancer and heart disease in younger people is putting pressure on the health system

Mon, 24 Nov, 2025

New vape tax set to come into effect from midnight

New vape tax set to come into effect from midnight

The new levy will see a tax of 50c per millilitre on nicotine-containing e-liquid for vapes

Fri, 31 Oct, 2025

Child abuse concept, silhouette of child confined in a dark room, prisoner or child abduction, child abuse human trafficking.

Camhs teams staffed at just 25% of recommended levels, HSE data reveals

HSE data shows Camhs teams for children with intellectual disabilities are just 25% staffed, as families plead for faster reform

Tue, 28 Oct, 2025

‘It’s not all doom and gloom’: End-of-life doulas support people near death

‘It’s not all doom and gloom’: End-of-life doulas support people near death

End-of-life doulas find themselves providing anything from practical help to emotional support

Mon, 27 Oct, 2025

Catherine Conlon: Bird flu is spreading from pole to pole — here’s why it matters

Catherine Conlon: Bird flu is spreading from pole to pole — here’s why it matters

East Cork poultry farmers are facing a worrying period with Fota Wildlife Park confirming an outbreak of bird flu

Mon, 27 Oct, 2025

Patient receiving chemotherapy at the hospital

Cancer patient's surgery 'was cancelled due to overcrowding'

Irish Cancer Society to tell Oireachtas health committee about delays and failures in treatment

Wed, 22 Oct, 2025

Gaining comfort from family

Funeral delays feared as Waterford hospital to end coroner-requested autopsies

Consultant pathologists at University Hospital Waterford will stop performing coroner-requested autopsies from January, raising fears of funeral delays and service gaps

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

'Nobody said stop': HSE paid €15m to now-defunct firm without a contract for respiratory sensors

'Nobody said stop': HSE paid €15m to now-defunct firm without a contract for respiratory sensors

The Public Accounts Committee heard today that there is no hope of recovering the loss as the company has now collapsed

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Family ‘haunted’ as inquest hears sepsis fears in UHL miscarriage death were not acted on

Family ‘haunted’ as inquest hears sepsis fears in UHL miscarriage death were not acted on

The family of Leona Cusack told an inquest they are 'haunted' by fears sepsis was missed before her death.

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025

Women less likely to get dementia if they take HRT after menopause, Irish study says

Women less likely to get dementia if they take HRT after menopause, Irish study says

However, women who have early menopause face an increased risk of dementia, the study suggests

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025