DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Fórsa and SIPTU members protest HSE's recruitment embargo at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, citing devastating effects on patients and staff. Unions organize lunchtime protests, ballot for industrial action, and criticize HSE's under-resourcing despite increased demands.

The HSE's Model of Care for Dementia in Ireland aims to ensure equitable access to services, addressing variability in timely diagnosis and care. Published in May 2023, it includes 37 targets and practice recommendations for assessment, treatment, and support. Despite funding consistency, the HSE recruitment moratorium has delayed planned developments. A dementia registry is essential for service planning, with €200,000 allocated in Budget 2025. The model outlines three levels of assessment, with minimum staffing requirements and maximum waiting times. The roll-out coincides with significant scientific activity on modifiable risk factors and disease-modifying treatments for early Alzheimer’s disease, influencing future updates to the model.

Over 200 health service staff protested at Cork University Hospital demanding an end to unsafe staffing levels, citing impacts on both workers and patients. Unions argue the pay and numbers strategy is a recruitment cap, leading to service suffering and unsafe environments. The HSE counters that staffing has increased significantly since 2020, emphasizing patient safety is not compromised.

Trade unions in Ireland’s public health service stage lunchtime protests at Cork University Hospital and HSE headquarters to address staffing disputes with the HSE and Department of Health. The unions, including INMO, Fórsa, and SIPTU, criticize ongoing recruitment restrictions and the HSE’s Pay and Numbers Strategy, which they say is straining patient services and negatively impacting patient safety and staff morale.

Protests at Cork University Hospital and Dr Steevens’ Hospital in Dublin today over staffing levels dispute between unions and HSE/Department of Health. Unions claim recruitment restrictions strain patient services and force reliance on expensive agency staff.

VACC protesters demand Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and FDA Director General Samuel Zacate's resignation over alleged collusion in approving the Qdenga dengue vaccine, citing concerns similar to the Dengvaxia scandal. PAO's Erwin Erfe opposes the vaccine, emphasizing environmental cleanliness as a solution to dengue, not new vaccines.

Buffalo Water's new fluoridation system approved by DOH; fluoride to be reintroduced into city's water supply starting Tuesday.

Shane Ryan, new IPHA president, emphasizes partnership to foster innovation and improve health outcomes in Ireland's biopharmaceutical sector, urging industry and government to avoid complacency. With a general election looming, the IPHA's manifesto calls for faster access to new medicines and increased clinical trials, aiming to make Ireland a life sciences investment destination.

DOH warns against unauthorized mpox vaccines; WHO prequalifies MVA-BN vaccine for mpox, emphasizing urgent scale-up for equitable access.

The Health Bureau launched the 'e+ Life' health challenge platform under eHealth, introducing the 'e+ Go to Park' game to encourage healthy habits. The game, targeting students, involves capturing virtual characters and collectibles in parks to improve physical and mental health. The platform aims to integrate health records, information, and monitoring into a single portal for citizens.