Welcome to this week’s challenge of The Week in Medication – a round-up of all of the happenings on this planet of Irish drugs
‘What’s One other Yr’ was Johnny Logan’s plaintive cry, and now it has turn into a kind of anthem for the constructing of the brand new Youngsters’s Hospital. The most recent information rising from that debacle is that it’s going to now be Spring 2026 earlier than any sufferers transfer in.
The most recent date for completion of Eire’s most up-to-date white elephant is June this 12 months, however there might be a ‘operational commissioning’ section which can take six months to finish after that. And since migration to the brand new hospital can not happen in winter, (scientific causes, we’re advised) it is going to be Spring 2026 earlier than the hospital is open.
The price of the hospital was initially estimated to be €980 million. The present value is estimated to be €2.24 billion.
The constructing of a brand new maternity hospital is because of start within the fourth quarter of this 12 months and the federal government estimate on the price is €800 million. So, in actual cash, about €2 billion.
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The large value of constructing and equipping hospital services is inevitably going to constrain spending in different areas of the well being service. We had Angela Kerins – former CEO of the Rehab Group – again within the headlines this week as she featured on a particular Prime Time particular searching for the Oireachtas to compensate her for her remedy by the hands of the Public Accounts Committee. (No cube, to this point)
Angela Kerins. Pic: RTE
The Supreme Courtroom has mentioned her authorized declare for damages can’t be entertained as members of the Dáil can’t be sued for what they are saying within the Dáil, so it might appear that even when they can’t management prices throughout the federal government, the regulation prevents them from costing us much more by their questioning. Which is a humorous state of affairs – their questions are meant to economize, however on this case, may even have added to the price.
The debacle throughout the Arts Council who squandered €7 million on consultants for an IT system (but to be put in), the shambles throughout the Peter McVerry Belief, and the large value of a small bike shed have all made the federal government nervous of committing cash to black holes and white elephants.
On Friday, IMT reported that the new elective hospitals will value twice what they have been initially estimated, and the final financial scenario – with no-one understanding what tariffs Trump could apply to Eire – has created doubt concerning the allocation of future spending for capital initiatives in healthcare. The current withdrawal of US defence help for Europe has international locations (together with Eire) scrambling to extend their defence budgets.
All of which means there might be little urge for food for brand new initiatives in healthcare, and the main target for the approaching years might be ‘worth for cash’. The federal government has elevated spending on healthcare over the past twenty years, taking us to a mean place on the OECED charts, however it’s not maintaining with demand.
That appears set to proceed as Eire swivels to extend defence spending massively to help Europe in its battle with Putin and maybe appease Trump within the White Home.
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The Irish Motor Neurone Illness Affiliation have introduced their ‘Drink Tea for MND’ marketing campaign which can happen throughout the month of March this 12 months.
In its sixteenth 12 months, this nationwide initiative encourages people, companies, and communities to host their very own tea events, with all funds raised supporting IMNDA’s essential providers for households affected by Motor Neurone Illness (MND).
Because the IMNDA marks 40 years in 2025, the Drink Tea for MND marketing campaign is an easy solution to become involved and present your help for households affected by MND. You’ll be able to host a cup of tea at any stage – in your group, work or organisation.
The IMNDA depends closely on fundraising to maintain over 85% of its earnings, which funds important help providers, together with care grants, counselling, and gear to enhance the standard of life for these affected by MND.
Tips on how to become involved:
- Register in your Drink Tea for MND occasion at IMNDA’s web site.
- Host your individual tea get together in March, invite your pals, household, or colleagues, and lift much-needed funds.
- Share your occasion on social media utilizing the hashtag #DrinkTeaForMND to unfold consciousness.
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We now have an individual accountable for one of the essential jobs in world-wide healthcare who’s a hazard to the remainder of the human inhabitants. RFK Jr has been confirmed as the brand new Head of Human and Well being Providers within the US.
RFK Jr
Maybe probably the most stunning side of the story is that when the nomination course of was ongoing, a petition got here in from American medical doctors supporting his nomination. Or so I learn in numerous on-line information retailers.
However it seems that isn’t actually true. In all probability such as you, I learn headlines and assume they comprise the essence of the story, but when that have been true, then the headline ought to have learn: “Some medical doctors and a few charlatans and mainly some unqualified folks made a submission to the affirmation hearings”.
You’ll be able to learn the main points about that submission right here on this Guardian story right here when you ponder how any physician who would have labored for years, if not a long time, serving to folks, may signal as much as this tomfoolery.
The Guardian described a few of them as ‘a self-described journalist, a licensed public accountant, a firefighter/paramedic, a licensed well being coach and somebody who mentioned they’d a bachelor’s diploma “with an emphasis on Jungian psychology”, not less than 75 nurses, in addition to doctor’s assistants. Greater than 90 didn’t embrace any credentials in any respect.’
We’re all medical doctors now.
They actually have heard sufficient from the professors.
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I used to be quietly having fun with the comedy of Ronny Chieng when this little bit gave me a little bit chuckle. Why do Asian dad and mom need their kids to turn into medical doctors?
