Healthcare

A statutory public inquiry into spina bifida and complex scoliosis services is to be established. A facilitator will now be appointed to consult with stakeholders on scoping the content of potential terms of reference for an inquiry.

Lawyer John McEvoy has been appointed as chief executive officer of Duality Healthcare in Northern Ireland. Mr McEvoy has played a pivotal role in guiding Duality Healthcare's strategic vision and growth to date as chairman and co-founder.

The High Court has made orders permitting HSE staff to terminate a minor’s pregnancy in light of her lack of capacity and the risk of serious harm to her life should the pregnancy continue. Delivering an ex tempore judgment for the High Court in October, Mr Justice David Barniville concluded:

RDJ LLP partner Ruth Finnerty and solicitor Thomas McInerney examine the Medical Council of Ireland's position on artificial intelligence. The Medical Council of Ireland has published its Position Statement on Artificial Intelligence which explicitly recognises the potential of AI to improve patient

New research on the impact of regulation and education campaigns on the use of sunbeds has been published as the Irish government weighs up a complete ban.

Medical professionals have again urged the government to implement pre-action protocols to speed up clinical negligence claims, nearly a decade since the passing of legislation paving the way for their introduction. Dr Rob Hendry, chief member officer and medical director at the Medical Protection S

An updated code of practice concerning the care, treatment, and rights of individuals with mental disorders in Northern Ireland has gone out for consultation. The Department of Health yesterday launched a 12-week consultation on the draft revised code of practice to the Mental Health (Northern Irela

The Data Protection Commission (DPC) has today announced the opening of an inquiry into the Children's Health Ireland (CHI) facility at Tallaght University Hospital (TUH). The inquiry relates to the physical safety and security of children's health records within the facility, one of three paediatri

Sunbeds could be banned outright in the State under plans currently out for consultation. Legislation introduced in 2014 has already restricted access to commercial sunbeds to over-18s, and the government is now consulting on the introduction of a total ban on commercial sunbed use.

A non-statutory inquiry into the historical licensing and use of sodium valproate, also known as Epilim, in women of childbearing potential has commenced. Sodium valproate can cause birth defects, neuro-developmental disorders and autism in children whose mothers take it during pregnancy.

The prosecution and conviction of a nurse has highlighted a "major gap" in the legal and regulatory framework governing independent nursing practice in Northern Ireland, her lawyer has said. Nichola Hawes, a registered nurse independent prescriber, was fined £8,000 in Downpatrick Crown Court y

Barrister Hugh O'Donoghue has been appointed to the Health and Social Care Professionals Council, part of multi-profession health regulator CORU. Mr O'Donoghue brings extensive multi-jurisdictional experience in regulation to the role. He is a member of the Law Library and of Mountford Chambers of E

The High Court has awarded €26,000 in general damages to a Spanish national whose visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed within three days of admission to a Valencian hospital, but which remained undetected by St James’s Hospital during his 42-day admission there. Delivering judgment for th

Over 240 amendments to the landmark Mental Health Bill 2024 are to be proposed by the government. The government will seek to move the amendments, many of which are technical in nature, at committee stage in the Dáil in the coming weeks.

Law firms have joined organisations representing patients, doctors and dentists to urge the government to take the final steps needed to implement pre-action protocols in clinical negligence cases. Matheson, Carson McDowell and Hayes solicitors have signed a letter co-ordinated by the Medical Protec