Healthcare

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

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.