Healthcare

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

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has finalised the text of a proposed new treaty aimed at strengthening global collaboration on prevention, preparedness and response to future pandemic threats. An intergovernmental negotiating body established in December 2021, at the height of the Covid-19 pande

Personal injury lawyers have called for the introduction of a statutory "duty of candour" covering healthcare staff in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland's Department of Health recently held a consultation on both its draft ‘Being Open’ framework, which aims to establish a culture of hon

Alcohol labelling laws set to be introduced in Ireland in 2026 may need to be "examined again" in light of the global trade war, finance minister Paschal Donohoe has said. The labelling provisions in section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 are currently set to come into force from 22 May

Legislation strengthening the regulatory framework for residential care for older people and people with disabilities is now fully in effect. Section 16 of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No.2) Act 2024 was the only part of the law which was not commenced in September 2024.

Major reforms to mental health legislation have been put back on the legislative agenda. The 202-section Mental Health Bill 2024, which will replace the existing Mental Health Act 2001, cleared second stage in the Dáil last September but fell when the election was called.

The High Court has upheld a decision of the Medical Council refusing registration of a doctor who had been struck off the register of doctors in the UK. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Micheál P. O’Higgins considered: “The court’s task in this appeal is to

The High Court has accepted an undertaking on behalf of the CEO of the Mater hospital on foot of the hospital’s breach of court orders detaining a woman suffering with an eating disorder. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice David Nolan emphasised: “The purpose of this judg

Northern Ireland's health minister has launched a public consultation on the establishment of a statutory duty of candour in Northern Ireland. The consultation comes more than half a decade after such a move was recommended by the Inquiry into Hyponatraemia Related Deaths (IHRD) led by Mr Justice O'

The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of a woman who claimed that she was required to undergo more extensive treatment than she otherwise would have required had her breast cancer been detected earlier by doctors at Letterkenny Hospital. Delivering the lead judgment for the Court of Appeal, M