THERE has been a failure to communicate with people on the benefits of reconfiguring hospital services and to understand people’s fear of change, a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health has heard.

SURGEONS told Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder on Sunday that Shay Given’s injuries were similar to those caused by the impact of traffic accidents.

SURGEONS yesterday carried out an operation on Michael Owen’s broken toe - but Newcastle’s injury problems are increasing still further.