Midwifery practice standards that put the mother at the centre of decision making have been published by the nursing regulator.

A long-awaited Department of Health task force set up to examine chronic nursing staff shortages is welcome, but must include the "immediate" lifting of the HSE’s recruitment ban.

A woman whose medical card is under review had been hit with a bill for €850 for additional nights her premature baby spent in a special care unit, delegates attending the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation annual conference heard.