A group campaigning to have a Waterford hospital ward reopened has been advised that admissions may recommence on a phased basis by September.

A nursing home has been strongly criticised after inspectors found some residents, who had been sedated the night before, were being woken up and dressed from as early as 6am.

Staff at a HSE-run nursing home in Co Waterford only became aware of the outbreak of an infectious disease at the centre five days after it began, a report by the health services watchdog reveals.

THE new chairman of the HSE has identified patients’ access to their own medical records and greater use of information technology as key priorities during his term of office.