Healthcare

Significant changes to EU digital health regulation lie ahead this year, Mason Hayes & Curran has highlighted. The business law firm this week published its digital health annual review, which examines legal developments from 2025 that will continue to reshape compliance obligations through 2026

The High Court has confirmed the decision of the Medical Council to cancel the registration of a doctor who attempted to poison his mother’s partner whilst in disguise as a community nurse. Delivering judgment for the High Court in December, Mr Justice David Barniville opined that in the &ldqu

William Fry lawyers Mary Cooney, Margaret Muldowney and Barry Murphy examine legislative plans to regulate home support providers. On 9 December 2025, the Cabinet approved the publication of the Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025. Subsequently, on 16 December 2025, the bill was in

Home support providers are to be regulated for the first time under new legislative plans. Ministers yesterday agreed to publish the Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025, which proposes significant amendments to the Health Act 2007.

Campaigners for a public inquiry into the abuse carried out by former surgeon Michael Shine have welcomed a government decision to establish a scoping exercise. To date, more than 390 men have made allegations of abuse against the now disgraced doctor, who has served a prison sentence for sexually a

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.