ON RTÉ radio news a few weeks ago, Dr Chris Luke correctly highlighted the crisis in staffing our A&E departments but also took the opportunity to agree with his interviewer that the closure of smaller hospital A&E services may be no bad thing and would bring about economies of scale and improved quality of care.

EQUITY is one of our core health system principles, meaning that care is provided on the basis of need and not on ability to pay.

THE Bord Snip report makes interesting reading in respect of the recommendations for significant increases in out-of-pocket costs if you are a sick person attending a hospital or in need of medications.

HEART rate, often overlooked in assessing patients, is a significant risk factor for heart disease, a groundbreaking study reveals, prompting calls by professionals for it to be routinely checked.

China will allow a modicum of dissent at the Olympics, setting up special protest zones far from the main sports venues, in a shift supporters and detractors said was meant to safely channel criticism and avoid disrupting the games.

A gas leak caused chaos in the massive building that will house thousands of world broadcasters at the Beijing Olympics today.

SUSIE LONG died from colon cancer.

WE write in the aftermath of a death foretold, the unnecessary death of a young Kilkenny mother from cancer.

Creeping privatisation of Ireland’s healthcare system will put profits before patients, it will be claimed today.

DOCTORS’ and nurses’ unions are backing a nationwide campaign to halt the drive towards privatising the State’s healthcare system.

THE needless death of a patient in Monaghan General Hospital (MGH) has caused national outrage. The current trawl for a scapegoat is misconceived, however.

HOSPITAL campaigners have refused to be reassured by the ordering of an internal report into the latest death of a patient denied treatment at Monaghan General Hospital.

LOBBYISTS campaigning against the downgrading of small hospitals claim there are community groups around the country ready to mobilise at a moment’s notice to oppose the implementation of the Hanly reform of the health service.

Action groups opposed to the downgrading of local hospital services have called for the controversial Hanley Report to be scrapped by the Government, it emerged today.

LOBBYISTS campaigning against the downgrading of small hospitals are considering entering an alliance with new patients’ group Patients Together.

A HEART attack victim who fell ill just minutes away from his local hospital, died after being taken to another hospital 37 miles away.

Campaigners have said the death of a man en route to Cavan hospital yesterday shows the effect of the Hanly reforms on the health service.

HEALTH Minister Micheál Martin yesterday insisted all acute hospitals could maintain their 24-hour emergency service if they produce concrete plans.

A FURIOUS row has broken out between the Government and critics of its plans to centralise acute hospital care with both sides accusing the other of lying.

THE birth of a baby in an ambulance while in transit between hospitals in Monaghan and Cavan yesterday highlights major flaws in the Hanly Report.

THOUSANDS of protesters opposed to plans for the downgrading of local hospitals are expected to converge on Nenagh, Co Tipperary, today.

A group of the country's most senior medical experts today launched an attack against the Government’s controversial Hanly report.