On the basis of the abysmal failure to radically reform our health service, as so faithfully promised in 2011, Fine Gael deserve not to be re-elected to Government, says Alison O’Connor.

PLANNING permission has been given for a €40 million private hospital on the outskirts of Ennis after councillors overwhelmingly voted through a rezoning to accommodate the proposal.

The Director of Industrial Relations with the Irish Medical Organisation Fintan Hourihan has said that the Health Service Executive knew a possible deficit in its annual budget since April, but only informed the IMO in early September

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney has warned doctors that they have a legal responsibility to inform patients who have contracted the deadly MRSA bug while in hospital.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday promised that legislation to establish an independent inspectorate for nursing homes will be published in the autumn — over four years after the Government committed to do so in its National Health Strategy.