The Health Information and Quality Authority's published new recommendations on referrals for patients from their GP to outpatient and radiology services.

NEW messaging standards which provide a blueprint for the transfer and sharing of electronic patient records will facilitate faster diagnosis and cut out duplicate diagnostic testing according to the health watchdog.

EVERYONE in Ireland should have a unique patient identification number so they get the safest health care possible, the State’s health services watchdog has urged.

Every person in the country should be issued with an identification number to track them through the health system throughout their life, experts said today.

VITAL health information should be shared across different health agencies to benefit the care of patients, according to a new poll.

FUNDING of €4.7 million has been allocated to Irish researchers to ensure they develop their careers in Ireland.

TECHNOLOGY allowing children suffering cancer to engage in video-conferencing and live chat with each other from their hospital beds will help young people cope with the disease and could even aid recovery.

Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin and The Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology (IRCSET) have today announced the appointment of Professor Jane Grimson as chair of the council.

A new Board of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) with Dr Pat Fottrell as its chairperson has been appointed by the Tánaiste Mary Harney.

TÁNAISTE Mary Harney has announced the board of Science Foundation Ireland, the body set up to fund research and development.

CHILDREN in hospitals around the country yesterday had a unique chat with pop group Six using technology which helps make learning more fun.