Fergal Bowers
@fergalbowers.bsky.social
📤 2953
📥 442
📝 432
Health Correspondent RTÉ News. Journalist for 45 years. NUJ member. Author. Views my own.
www.rte.ie/news/2026/01...
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Student wins Young Scientist with cancer diagnosis tool
A Kerry student has won has won the top prize at this year's Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition for her brain cancer diagnosis tool.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0109/1552375-young-scientist-winner/
2 days ago
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Out of hours palliative care needs to be improved - widow
A widow has said that while the hospice system is a fantastic service, improvements are needed to out-of-hours support services.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0108/1552105-hospice-report/
3 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2026/01...
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Major investment in palliative care services needed - IHF
Ireland is facing a potential future crisis in end of life care and support for people who are bereaved without targeted investment and planning, according to a new report by the Irish Hospice Foundat...
https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0108/1552069-investment-palliative-care/
3 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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Flu figures remain high, says HSE
It is likely that flu activity peaked before Christmas, the HSE has said, but figures remain high with 2,049 cases recorded in the week to last Saturday.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/0107/1551853-flu-ireland/
5 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
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Ireland's first babies of 2026 welcomed
As the clock struck midnight last night, Ireland's newest babies were making their way into the world.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0101/1551098-new-year-babies/
10 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2025/12...
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Ongoing pressure on health services due to flu, says HSE
The chief clinical officer with the Health Service Executive has said despite flu season reaching its peak this week, ongoing pressures on services are expected to remain.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1230/1550932-flu-season-hse/
12 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2025/12...
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Persisting issues in health among the year's big stories
Many of the big health issues that dominated this year have been with us for some considerable time.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1228/1550172-health-challenges-issues-2025/
14 days ago
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I want to wish all my followers and others, those who like, or dislike what I post, a very Happy Christmas. I report the news. Then you make up your own independent mind on it all. 🎄
18 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
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Watch: Santa Claus departs North Pole to deliver presents
RTÉ News has received official confirmation that Santa Claus has departed the North Pole and has set off on his way to bring presents to millions of children all over the world.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1224/1550470-santa-claus-north-pole/
18 days ago
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youtube.com/watch?v=PRcO...
RIP Chris Rea
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Candles
YouTube video by Chris Rea - Topic
https://youtube.com/watch?v=PRcOD5SU54c
20 days ago
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www.rte.ie/entertainmen...
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Singer Chris Rea dies aged 74
The singer Chris Rea, known for hits including Driving Home for Christmas, has died at the age of 74, a spokesperson for his family has said.
https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2025/1222/1550211-singer-chris-rea-dies-aged-74/
20 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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Minister hopes NCH will be open by next Christmas
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has said she hopes that patients will be in the new National Children's Hospital by next Christmas.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2025/1222/1550187-national-childrens-hospital/
20 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
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Flu cases likely to peak during Christmas week, says HSE
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has said that flu cases are likely to peak during Christmas week.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1221/1550072-flu-christmas-hse/
21 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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No decision to suspend Caredoc strike action, INMO says
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has said no decision has been taken to suspend next week's planned strike action by its members employed at Caredoc.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2025/1219/1549806-inmo-strike/
23 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2025/12...
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HSE audit finds weaknesses in pandemic payment scheme
A HSE internal audit of the Pandemic Special Payment has said there were notable control weaknesses and governance gaps that should inform future crisis response payment schemes.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1217/1549380-hse-internal-audit/
26 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
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Five reviews into care at Portiuncula in progress
Five reviews into the care of women and infants at Portiuncula University Hospital in Galway are still in progress and due to be completed by next March, it has been confirmed.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1217/1549367-portiuncula-reviews/
26 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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Wheelchair user says exoskeleton experience 'incredible'
A wheelchair user from Co Down has described as "incredible" the awareness of movement and sensation felt when using a robotic exoskeleton device.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2025/1216/1549180-exoskeleton-study/
27 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/analysi...
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Challenging period ahead as flu season gathers pace
Ireland has experienced bad influenza seasons before, and the weeks ahead are shaping up to offer a testing season of festive flu and colds. The flu this winter has come a few weeks early and is mainl...
https://www.rte.ie/news/analysis-and-comment/2025/1214/1548759-influenza-season/
29 days ago
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www.rte.ie/news/primeti...
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Transgender care waiting list to close due to resourcing concerns
The National Gender Service (NGS), which provides healthcare for transgender adults, is closing its waiting lists due to a lack of resources, Prime Time has learned
https://www.rte.ie/news/primetime/2025/1211/1548485-transgender-care-waiting-list-to-close-due-to-resourcing-concerns/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
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Dublin Zoo performs world-first cataract surgery on hippo
Dublin Zoo has performed the first ever recorded cataract surgery on a common hippopotamus worldwide.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1211/1548466-hippo-cataract-dublin/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2025/12...
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Blister pack funding cut will increase prices, Dáil hears
The decision to end State funding of medical blister packs supplied by pharmacies will see elderly people hit with a new monthly bill of up to €50 from January, the Dáil has heard.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1210/1548267-blister-pack/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/europe/...
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Cancer-causing gene in donor's sperm used across Europe
A Danish sperm donor whose sperm cells contained a cancer-causing gene mutation fathered at least 197 children across 14 countries in Europe, a major investigation has found.
https://www.rte.ie/news/europe/2025/1210/1548214-sperm-donor/
about 1 month ago
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Why doctors are uniquely vulnerable to domestic abuse BMJ 2025; 391 doi:
doi.org/10.1136/bmj....
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Why doctors are uniquely vulnerable to domestic abuse
Domestic abuse in NHS workers is a “silent pandemic,” with some research finding that they are three times as likely to experience it. Adele Waters finds that the NHS needs to do more to end a “double...
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.r2575
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/health/...
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Women want better communication on labour, birth - survey
Better communication about labour and birth, along with more post-natal support, are among the issues raised by women in a new survey on maternity care.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2025/1210/1548190-maternity-care-ireland/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2025/12...
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Pandemic had no lasting impact on cancer survival - study
There is no evidence of a lasting impact on early cancer survival or mortality in Ireland due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, a new study has found.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1210/1548149-covid-cancer-study/
about 1 month ago
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Cost of national RSV vaccine scheme 'substantial' - HIQA
HIQA has launched a public consultation on its draft health technology assessment of immunisation against the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2025/1209/1548054-rsv/
about 1 month ago
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HSE begins offering compensation to cyberattack victims
The Health Service Executive has started offering compensation to victims of the HSE cyberattack that occurred in May 2021.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1209/1548056-hse-cyberattack-compensation/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2025/12...
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New workplace course to support workers with cancer
A new online training course has been launched to help HR professionals and managers support employees undergoing a cancer diagnosis or treatment.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1209/1547951-workplace-training-cancer/
about 1 month ago
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HSE did not offer enhanced flu vaccine for over 65s
The HSE did not offer an enhanced influenza vaccine for people aged 65 years and older this season as it was not deemed cost-effective.
https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2025/1208/1547783-hse-influenza-vaccine/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2025/12...
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Review after couple wrongly advised of fatal abnormality
The CEO of the HSE has issued an "unequivocal" apology on behalf of the organisation and has said an independent review will take place into the case of a couple who agreed to have a termination after...
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1207/1547723-hse-apology/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2025/12...
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Protesters call for better endometriosis support
Women and girls who want to highlight the challenges of living with endometriosis have taken part in a protest in Dublin city today calling for better supports.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1206/1547625-endometriosis-protest/
about 1 month ago
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Meskill joins Six One as RTÉ announces new presenters
Tommy Meskill has been announced as the new co-presenter of RTÉ's Six One News, while Sarah McInerney and Justin McCarthy join Morning Ireland and Paul Cunningham takes the helm at This Week.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1205/1547416-rte-presenters/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/entertainmen...
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RTÉ to boycott Eurovision Song Contest over Israel
RTÉ will not participate in or broadcast next year's Eurovision Song Contest after organiser the European Broadcasting Union confirmed today that Israel will be allowed to take part.
https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2025/1204/1547300-rte-to-boycott-eurovision-song-contest-over-israel/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2025/12...
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Weight-loss drug overpriced for public patients - HSE
A new study for the HSE has found that making the weight loss drug Mounjaro available to public patients would not be value for money at the current price.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1204/1547165-mounjaro-hse/
about 1 month ago
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'Misconception HIV a men's issue' says support group
The support group HIV Ireland has said that persistent HIV-related stigma will undermine progress in HIV prevention, testing and treatment.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1201/1546670-hiv-aids-prevention/
about 1 month ago
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Cappagh Hospital on target to reduce energy use by 26%
Climate action requirements mean that public hospitals must meet strict emissions and energy targets within five years.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1130/1546418-cappagh-hospital-energy-use/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/busines...
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Irish Life Health to increases prices again in January
Irish Life Health is to increase the price of its policies by an average of 5% from January 2026.
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/1128/1546317-irish-life-health-to-hike-prices/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2025/11...
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Long Covid turned my life upside down, says scientist
Five years on from contracting Covid, medical scientist Rebecca Broni is still living with its effects and now faces a cut in financial support.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1128/1546309-long-covid-ireland/
about 1 month ago
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www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
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Why have so many people stopped posting on social media?
Time spent on social media platforms peaked in 2022 and has since gone into steady decline, especially among teens and twentysomethings
https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2025/1127/1546045-why-have-we-stopped-posting-on-social-media-psychology-ai-misinformation/
about 2 months ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2025/11...
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Inquest into death of 16-year-old at Limerick hospital
An inquest has opened into the death of a 16-year-old girl at University Hospital Limerick.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1126/1545948-niamh-mcnally-inquest/
about 2 months ago
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www.bbc.com/news/article...
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Thai woman's cremation stopped as knocking on coffin heard, temple staff say
The general manager of a Buddhist temple was startled to see her "opening her eyes" as the coffin opened, AP news agency says.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgq0jzw5n2o
about 2 months ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2025/11...
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Campaign for younger blood donors launched at Croke Park
Club and county allegiances were put aside at GAA HQ in Croke Park today as players came together as part of a campaign aimed at boosting the number of young blood donors.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1125/1545781-young-blood-donors/
about 2 months ago
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www.rte.ie/news/uk/2025...
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'Too little, too late': Key points from UK Covid Inquiry
One of its headline findings is that 23,000 fewer people would have died in England during the first wave had the government introduced a lockdown one week earlier, writes Tommy Meskill.
https://www.rte.ie/news/uk/2025/1123/1545257-uk-covid-inquiry/
about 2 months ago
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www.rte.ie/news/munster...
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Expert raises public health concerns about Cork water quality
The current quality of Cork city's drinking water is a "potentially serious public health concern", according to a legal submission made by a prominent public health specialist
https://www.rte.ie/news/munster/2025/1121/1545027-expert-raises-public-health-concerns-about-cork-water-quality/
about 2 months ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2025/11...
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Flu cases increasing 'unusually early' in EU
The European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) has said that influenza cases are increasing unusually early in the EU this season.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1120/1545023-flu-cases/
about 2 months ago
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about 2 months ago
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Govt agrees to public inquiry into child spinal care
The Government has agreed to a statutory public inquiry into spina bifida and complex scoliosis services.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1118/1544516-ireland-cabinet-health/
about 2 months ago
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Families to be asked for input on child spinal inquiry
The Government will work with families on the terms of reference for a public inquiry into the care of children with scoliosis and spina bifida "to get this right", the Tánaiste has said.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1115/1544174-spinal-inquiry-tanaiste/
about 2 months ago
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Wexford hospital apologises over care to elderly patient
Wexford General Hospital has apologised to the family of an elderly woman who died there earlier this year, saying it was not the level of standard it aims for.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/1113/1543729-wexford-general-hospital/
about 2 months ago
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www.rte.ie/news/2025/11...
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Statutory inquiry into children's spinal care expected
The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that the Government is anxious to help the family of the late Harvey Morrison find answers about his care.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/1112/1543567-harvey-morrison/
2 months ago
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