Fergal Bowers
@fergalbowers.bsky.social
📤 3076
📥 442
📝 539
Health Correspondent RTÉ News. Journalist for 45 years. NUJ member. Author. Views my own.
www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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People injured through negligence seek change to payments
People who have suffered catastrophic injuries due to negligence are calling on the Government to urgently enact legislation to provide for the annual payment of damages, known as Periodic Payment Ord...
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0424/1569833-injury-payments/
4 minutes ago
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www.rte.ie/news/politic...
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'Urgent need' for HSE to reform hospital funding model
A hospital chief executive has highlighted to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) what she believes are shortcomings in the way the HSE funds voluntary hospitals.
https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2026/0423/1569793-pac-hse/
about 17 hours ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2026/04...
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1 in 3 women face barriers accessing free contraception
Nearly one in three women experienced barriers to accessing the Free Contraception Scheme according to new research.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0422/1569548-free-contraception-research/
2 days ago
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www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
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Are you waking up at 3am every night? Here's what may be going on
While waking in the middle of the night can feel unsettling, occasional nighttime awakening is part of how sleep works
https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2026/0421/1569138-sleep-3am-insomnia-health/
3 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2026/04...
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Watch: Census Centenarian Ambassador on past century
The National Archives of Ireland has announced 48 'Centenarian Ambassadors' for the public release of the 1926 Census records.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0418/1568840-census-centenarian-ambassadors/
6 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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Govt must commit to dental policy implementation - report
The Government must commit to urgent implementation of the national dental policy, which was published seven years ago, according to the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee Report on Dental Services to ...
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0416/1568508-dental-report/
8 days ago
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Medical experts call for adult national vaccine programme
Medical experts have called for a full national vaccination programme for adults, similar to what is available for children and for the shingles vaccine to be made free for older people.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0415/1568332-shingles-vaccine-ireland/
9 days ago
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Derek Tierney is the new Secretary General of the Department of Health, following approval by Government. @rtenews
10 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/busines...
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SIPTU members in National Ambulance Service set to strike
SIPTU members at the National Ambulance Service will take strike action next month in a dispute over updated salary scales.
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2026/0413/1568026-siptu-strike/
11 days ago
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Fuel protests impacting patients, warns health minister
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has warned that the fuel protests are having an impact on patients with operations facing cancellations next week.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0410/1567562-protest-impact-health/
14 days ago
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Appeal for blood donations as stocks low
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is asking blood donors to attend donation clinics this week, as blood stocks are very low after the bank holiday weekend.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0407/1567034-blood-donations/
17 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/analysi...
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What Ireland's first public Covid-19 hearing revealed
Ireland's first public hearing into how the Covid-19 was handled was revelatory and undoubtedly painful at times, but healthy too, for a better insight into the most significant national crisis in the...
https://www.rte.ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2026/0404/1566623-covid-review-analysis/
20 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2026/03...
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Former FF minister, ceann comhairle Rory O'Hanlon dies
The former Fianna Fáil TD and minister for health Dr Rory O'Hanlon has died at the age of 92.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0331/1566161-rory-ohanlon-fianna-fail/
24 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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Communities 'not trusted' during pandemic, panel hears
Communities in Ireland were not trusted enough during the pandemic to manage their own risks, a former World Health Organization chief told the Covid-19 Evaluation.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0331/1565996-covid-review/
24 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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Covid pandemic review to broadcast debate with experts
The independent review into Ireland's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic will broadcast for the first time a live roundtable debate, involving Irish and international experts.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0331/1565996-covid-review-broadcast/
24 days ago
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The Government established, COVID-19 Evaluation will be for the first time live streaming a round-table discussion with Irish & international experts tomorrow from 10am-12.30pm in its website.
24 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/technol...
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Social media addiction case lawyer hopes change is coming
The American lawyer, who won a landmark social media addiction case this week, has said he hopes the victory marks more than a "band-aid on a bullet wound".
https://www.rte.ie/news/technology/2026/0328/1565682-social-media-addiction-case-lawyer-hopes-change-is-coming/
27 days ago
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www.rte.ie/sport/soccer...
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RTÉ2 audience reached 1.6 million peak for Ireland game
The Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off penalty shootout defeat to Czechia on Thursday night drew record numbers to RTÉ's coverage on television and on the RTÉ Player.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/0327/1565518-rte2-audience-reached-1-6-million-peak-for-ireland-game/
28 days ago
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The HSE says there has been an increase in reported scam texts relating to HSE services, specifically texts seeking payment for medical cards renewal. It said HSE services do not ask for payment by SMS.
28 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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Data on GP numbers shows 'concerning' workforce pressures
A national analysis of GP shortages shows concerning patterns of workforce pressures in Dublin's commuter belt, and on the western seaboard, according to the Irish College of GPs.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0327/1565476-ireland-gps/
28 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
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North Kerry CAMHS compensation scheme extended
A non-adversarial compensation scheme for more than 200 CAMHS patients found to have been exposed to potential harm, following a review of the Child and Adult Mental Health Service in North Kerry, has...
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0326/1565353-camhs/
29 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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NCH opening could be delayed to autumn 2027, cttee hears
The new National Children's Hospital might not be open until spring, summer or the autumn of 2027, with builders BAM missing the 18th completion deadline, the chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Heal...
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0325/1565068-childrens-hospital-ireland/
29 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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BAM won't meet April date for substantial completion
The Oireachtas Committee on Health has been told that BAM has said it will not meet its 18th substantial completion date of 30 April for the new National Children's Hospital.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0325/1565068-childrens-hospital-ireland/
30 days ago
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Children's Hospital will open when safe to do so - CHI
Children's Health Ireland has said that the new National Children's Hospital will open when it is safe to do so, and around seven months after it receives "the keys".
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0325/1565068-childrens-hospital-ireland/
about 1 month ago
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reposted by
Fergal Bowers
RTÉ News
about 1 month ago
The Vatican has said that Catholics can receive transplants of animal tissues to address medical conditions, as procedures involving genetically modified pig or cow organs continue to advance.
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Catholics can get animal tissue transplants - Vatican
The Vatican has said that Catholics can receive transplants of animal tissues to address medical conditions, as procedures involving genetically modified pig or cow organs continue to advance.
https://www.rte.ie/news/newslens/2026/0324/1564953-vatican-transplants/
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We're not going to have hologram judge, AI Committee told
The chief executive of the Courts Service Angela Denning has said that the service is currently conducting a number of trials of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2026/0324/1564986-were-not-going-to-have-hologram-judge-ai-committee-told/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
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Over 750,000 illegal medicines seized by HPRA last year
More than 750,000 units of illegal medicines were seized by the Health Products Regulatory Authority last year.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0324/1564936-illegal-medicines-seized/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/primeti...
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HSE audit: €2m paid to consultants 'deviates from pay guidelines'
A HSE internal audit has found that €2m was paid to hospital consultants to reduce waiting lists at Naas General Hospital (NGH) outside of public pay policy guidelines
https://www.rte.ie/news/primetime/2026/0324/1564822-2m-paid-to-consultants-deviates-from-pay-guidelines-hse-audit/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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'We were lost' - the impact of an infected transfusion
Every year, four or five people with a medical complaint enter an Irish hospital and discover that many years ago they received a blood transfusion and, unfortunately for them, it was infected with th...
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0322/1564657-blood-transfusion-hepatitis-c/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2026/03...
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Coroner: Funeral delays as post-mortem system 'crumbling'
The incoming president of the Coroners Society of Ireland has described as "crumbling" the service that provides post-mortem examinations that are requested by coroners to establish cause of death.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0322/1564638-coroner-ireland/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/sport/footba...
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Former RTÉ Sport broadcaster Michael Lyster dies
Former RTÉ Sport broadcaster Michael Lyster has died at the age of 71.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2026/0322/1564654-former-rte-sport-broadcaster-michael-lyster-dies/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2026/03...
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BreastCheck miss screening targets for third year running
The national cancer screening programme BreastCheck missed its mammogram targets by 46,000 last year, the HSE has confirmed to RTÉ's News at One.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0320/1564386-breastcheck-targets/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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Plan to increase access to insurance for cancer survivors
Cancer survivors are set to face a shorter wait to access mortgage protection insurance under new Government plans, with legislation expected before the summer recess.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0320/1564294-cancer-survivors-insurance-changes/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/europe/...
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CAMS warns air quality to deteriorate over coming days
The European Union body that monitors atmospheric conditions has warned that air quality across several European countries, including Ireland, will deteriorate over the next few days.
https://www.rte.ie/news/europe/2026/0319/1564279-air-quality/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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'Leaky' barrier linked to athletes' poor brain health
New research led by teams at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has identified for the first time what causes some sports injuries to result in poor brain health in retired athletes.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0318/1564017-brain-injuries-athletes-tcd-research/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/uk/2026...
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Meningitis cases in Kent rise amid 'explosive' outbreak
The number of cases of meningitis being investigated by health officials in the UK linked to Kent has risen to 20, up from 15 previously.
https://www.rte.ie/news/uk/2026/0318/1563909-meningitis-kent/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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Almost 1m people on public hospital waiting lists
Public hospital waiting lists rose last month by over 17,200 patients and now stand just short of one million people waiting to be seen, or to have a hospital procedure.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0313/1563269-health-waiting-lists/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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Almost 1m people on public hospital waiting lists
Public hospital waiting lists rose last month by over 17,200 patients and now stand just short of one million people waiting to be seen, or to have a hospital procedure.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0313/1563269-health-waiting-lists/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2026/03...
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Significant rise in children with e-scooter injuries
Consultants who deal with emergency medicine for children have reported a significant rise in the number of children suffering injuries from e-scooter use.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0312/1563056-significant-rise-in-children-with-e-scotter-injuries/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/sport/athlet...
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Olympic gold medallist Ronnie Delany dies aged 91
Legendary Olympic 1500m gold medal winner Ronnie Delany has died at the age of 91.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2026/0311/1562922-olympic-gold-medalist-ronnie-delany-dies-aged-91/
about 1 month ago
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Is an end to health insurance price hikes in sight?
A trend of multi-annual increases for health insurance policy holders is leading many to question how high policy prices can go and whether the costs are sustainable.
https://www.rte.ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2026/0308/1562204-analysis-comment-health-insurance/
about 2 months ago
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www.rte.ie/news/politic...
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Medical Council 'engaging' in case of UCD student - Govt
The Medical Council is "actively engaging" in the case of a UCD medical student whose sexually explicit image was circulated via college emails and to a large student WhatsApp group.
https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2026/0305/1561873-medical-council-ucd/
about 2 months ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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NCPE told to remove rare drug assessment from website
An assessment of a drug for a rare muscular condition was removed from the website of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics, at the request of the Department of Health.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0304/1561544-ncpe-department-health/
about 2 months ago
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www.rte.ie/news/courts/...
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Family settles legal case over woman's Covid-19 death
The family of a 61-year-old woman who died from Covid-19 after repeated transfers between a hospital and a step-down facility has settled a High Court action over her death.
https://www.rte.ie/news/courts/2026/0303/1561482-covid-settlement/
about 2 months ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2026/03...
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Call for statutory inquiry into Covid nursing home deaths
Families of some of those affected by Covid-19 have gathered to mark the sixth anniversary of the pandemic.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0303/1561412-covid-protest/
about 2 months ago
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Novo Nordisk to invest €430m in Athlone for Wegovy pill
Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has announced a €430m expansion of its manufacturing operation in Athlone which will see it produce the tablet form of its weight loss drug Wegovy.
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2026/0302/1561162-novo-nordisk-athlone-investment/
about 2 months ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...
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Govt appoints facilitators for spinal care, Shine probes
The Government has appointed facilitators to begin work aimed at establishing two public statutory inquiries, into scoliosis and spina bifida care at Children's Health Ireland, and into the sexual abu...
https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0228/1560957-health-statutory-inquiries/
about 2 months ago
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Patients, staff need clarity on Rotunda Hospital's future
Amid confusion over whether the Rotunda Hospital might move to the Connolly Hospital campus in Blanchardstown or carry out development work at the current site, clarity is needed for expectant mothers...
https://www.rte.ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2026/0228/1560788-rotunda-hospital-dublin/
about 2 months ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...
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Rían, Lily most popular baby names in Ireland last year
Rían was the most popular name for boys, while Lily was the most popular girls' name last year, according to statistics from the CSO.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0227/1560762-baby-name-trends/
about 2 months ago
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Irish Life Health and Level Health announce price hikes
Two health insurance companies, Irish Life Health and Level Health, have announced price increases for their customers from April.
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2026/0227/1560764-health-insurance-companies-to-raise-prices/
about 2 months ago
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