Donie's Ireland daily news BLOG update

Petition filed to United Nations on behalf of Irish women travelling for abortion

 

 Amanda Mellet, Ruth Bowie and Siobhán Murphy above picture left, members of the Terminations For Medical Reasons group, are taking the cases to the UN’s Human Rights Committeein Gneva.

First of three petitions to UN from Irish women, Pregnant women, who receive a diagnosis of a fatal foetal abnormality and are forced to leave Ireland for terminations, suffer human rights violations “as serious and as reprehensible . . . as torture, detention or imprisonment”, a leading international human rights activist has said.

Johanna Westeson, of the New York-based Centre for Reproductive Rights, was addressing a press conference in Dublin to announce the filing in Geneva yesterday of the first of three petitions to the United Nations from Irish women alleging that their having had to travel for abortion following such diagnoses amounted to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

Member states
Amanda Mellet, Ruth Bowie and Siobhán Murphy, members of the Terminations For Medical Reasons group, are taking the cases to the UN’s Human Rights Committeein Geneva. The committee monitors member states’ compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The three are supported by the New York centre as well as by Doctors For Choice.

The papers in Ms Mellet’s case were filed yesterday, while those in Ms Bowie’s and Ms Murphy’s cases will be filed early next year.

At the press conference Ms Mellet described her experience of travelling to Liverpool in 2011 to terminate her pregnancy.

“I have no doubt in my mind that being forced to leave Ireland to end my pregnancy of my much-wanted baby, that that journey has overshadowed my grief,” she said.

Ms Westeson, the centre’s Europe director, said all three women had been “profoundly scarred” by the experience.

Ms Mellet had been “denied critical reproductive healthcare in her own country”.

One Day More
Meanwhile the One Day More group, which represents women who choose to continue their pregnancies following fatal foetal diagnoses, issued a statement calling for less focus on abortion and more on peri-natal hospice care.

Spokeswoman Cliona Johnson called for the provision of such care for women who receive such diagnoses. “Peri- natal hospice care is there for parents to support them as soon as they receive a diagnosis. In real terms it gives families an opportunity to prepare to meet their baby and make memories with them, however brief that may be.”

Ireland’s decision to exit bailout without a precautionary ”credit line”

‘is FULLY SUPPORTED’ BY the EU & IMF

 

Dijsselbloem (above pic with Minister Michael Noonan) says Ireland’s exit ‘proves these programmes work’ at meeting in Brussels

Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has said the Government’s decision to exit the three-year bailout programme next month without seeking precautionary credit funding is “fully supported” by European lenders and the IMF.

Speaking to reporters as he arrived in Brussels for a meeting of euro zone finance ministers, Mr Noonan said the decision was “the best interests of the country” and the “time was right” to return to full market access unaided.

Mr Noonan phoned European Central Bank president Mario Draghi, European economics commissioner Olli Rehn and IMF managing director Christine Lagarde this morning ahead of the Government’s announcement.

“We think that the time is now right for exiting the programme and that may not always be so [...]If we took a precautionary programme we would have to take the decision we made today next year,” the Minister said pointing out that there was no guarantee that the situation would be as benign in a year’s time.

The fact that Ireland would not have to draw on the funds next year as it is already funded into 2014 was also a factor.

“If we took a precautionary programme it was clear that we would not have to use it in 2014. Then the consideration would be, will we take it so that we have an option of extending it?” he said.

Asked about the impact of the decision on the Irish people, MrNoonan said it was a question of sovereignty.

“We spent an awful lot of time getting our freedom and getting the authority to run our own affairs, and there’s not much point in having political freedom if you do not have economic and financial freedom .”

Discussions will now commence on the precise terms of post-programme surveillance for Ireland, with two review missions per year envisaged.

However, euro group president Jeroen Dijsselbloem stressed that while “specific risks and reforms” would be considered, no “measures” would be involved.

A number of euro zone figures today stressed that Ireland’s exit from the bailout was proof that the euro zone’s response to the crisis has worked. Ireland’s exit “proves that these programmes work and deliver when they are successfully implemented,” Mr Dijsselbloem said.

Despite the affirmation of the euro group’s strong support for Ireland’s decision, there had been differences of opinion between the various troika members on the best strategy for Ireland.

With Ireland scheduled to take part in next year’s European banking stress tests, the European Central Bank in particular is understood to have had concerns about problems in the Irish banking system and favoured the use of a precautionary credit line.

In contrast, the European Commission advocated a so-called ‘clean exit’ , with Mr Dijsselbloem supporting an early decision on the issue.

In a statement today IMF managing director Christine Lagarde said Ireland was in a “strong position” in terms of its bond yields and sizable cash buffer, though the statement made no mention of the decision to exit the bailout without a backstop. “We look forward to continuing to work with the authorities as they address the challenges that remain.”

‘Right decision’

Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil this morning that it was the “right decision for Ireland”, and the Government would publish a new medium-term economic strategy in the wake of the announcement.

Most Cabinet Ministers were in the Dáil along with a large turnout of TDs for the special announcement.

The Government had engaged extensively with international institutions and partners on Ireland’s exit strategy and they had indicated “we will continue to receive their strong support”.

Ireland’s early household property tax returns for next year takes in some €50m

  

Some 300,000 people have filed their 2014 property tax returns.

The Government is set to take in €50m extra from the property tax this year due to the number of people paying for next year’s tax before Christmas.

Today is the deadline for all paper returns for next year.

And it’s emerged that the government has increased its estimate for the sum generated by the property tax this year.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has confirmed that he has increased the estimate from €250m to €300m due to the numbers paying next year’s property tax in advance. But he has also increased his property tax estimate for next year from €500m to €550m.

This means that the total take from the property tax in its first year-and-a-half of operation will be €850m.

Estimate: That is €100m higher than the previous estimate of €750m.

In response to a parliamentary question from Labour TD Kevin Humphreys, Mr Noonan said he expected the same pattern of early payment of the property tax to continue next year. But he also said there were a number of one-off factors which would contribute to the higher than expected property tax revenue. These include:

* A Revenue crackdown on the 150,000 homeowners who have not paid the tax.

* Deducting €200 from the wages and social welfare payments of people who have not paid the household charge in the New Year. So far, they have been paid around €700,000 by people who had previously refused to pay up.

* City and county councils will be paying the last year’s property tax bill for the houses they own after having been granted a six month respite.

One-in-3 people reverse pre-diabetes discovery successfully with a good diet

 

irish HEALTH CUTBACKS MEAN YOUNG ADULTS WITH DIABETES HAVE TO WAIT LONGER TO SEE A DOCTOR AND THE VISITS ARE RUSHED, ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY BY IRISH DOCTORS.

The VHI, in a separate study found that almost one in three people screened and found to have pre-diabetes, improved their lifestyle enough to reverse the diagnosis within 12 months.

In the first study carried out by the Royal College of Surgeons and the Department of Sociology in University College Cork, it emerged that government cuts in funding were having a significant impact on young adults with type 1 diabetes.

Clinical visits were “too short, frequently rushed and there was not enough time to discuss issues properly”.

RELIANCE: It also found “an over-reliance on junior doctors and the continuity of care in the service provided was not optimal”.

Diabetes care was unevenly distributed around the country with rural services under-resourced.

Equipment like insulin pumps were only available from specialist clinics and young people often had to travel long distances to get them.

Meanwh ile the Vhi study screened about 30,000 people for type 2 diabetes and found that about 7,000 were pre-diabetes.

Of these, 32% changed their lifestyle enough to revert to normal blood glucose within a year.

Ming the Mollusc world’s oldest creature was 507 old.

BUT SCIENTISTS KILLED IT OFF

 

Ming’s (above left)  life came to an abrupt end seven years ago when scientists from Bangor University dredged the seabed near Iceland (pictured above right) as part of a study into climate change

World’s oldest creature – known as Ming the mollusc – is proven even older than previously thought

Ming the Mollusc was 507 when he died, according to new research 

When scientists inadvertently killed what turned out to be the world’s oldest living creature, it was bad enough.

Now, their mistake has been compounded after further research found it was even older – at 507 years.

The ocean quahog – a type of deep-sea clam – was dredged alive from the bottom of the North Atlantic near Iceland in 2006 by researchers. They then put it in a freezer, as is normal practice, unaware of its age.

It was only when it was taken to a laboratory that scientists from Bangor University studied it and concluded it was 400 years old.

The discovery made it into the Guinness Book of World Records however by this time, it was too late for Ming the Mollusc – named after the Chinese dynasty on the throne when its life began.

Now, after examining the ocean quahog more closely, using more refined methods, the researchers have found the animal was actually 100 years older than they first thought.

Dr Paul Butler, from the University’s School of Ocean Sciences, said: “We got it wrong the first time and maybe we were a bit hasty publishing our findings back then. But we are absolutely certain that we’ve got the right age now.”

A quahog’s shell grows by a layer every year, in the summer when the water is warmer and food is plentiful. It means that when its shell is cut in half, scientists can count the lines in a similar way trees can be dated by rings in their trunks.

The growth rings can be seen in two places; on the outside of the shell and at the hinge where the two halves meet. The hinge is generally considered by scientists as the best place to count the rings, as it is protected from outside elements.

When researchers originally dated Ming, they counted the rings at the hinge.

However because it was so old, many had become compressed. When they looked again at the outside of the shell, they found more rings.

It means the mollusc was born in 1499 – just seven years after Columbus discovered America and before Henry VIII had even married his first wife, Catherine of Aragon in 1509.

Scientists say they can study the clam’s layers to find out about sea temperatures and water masses from thousands of years ago.

Jan Heinemeier, associate professor at the University of Denmark, who helped date Ming, told Science Nordic: “The fact alone that we got our hands on an animal that’s 507 years old is incredibly fascinating, but the really exciting thing is of course everything we can learn from studying the mollusc.”

Donie's Ireland news Blog Thursday

Government must put pressure on Irish banks to open their books

  

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has today called on the Government to demand that bailed-out banks open their books after a study claimed Ireland is second only to Greece in terms of refusing loans to small firms.

Business groups maintained the Central Bank survey backs their long-standing argument that access to finance is being denied to viable but vulnerable companies.

The report revealed more than one in four small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) have been turned down for a loan or overdraft in the six months to March – double the eurozone average.

ISME’s Mark Fielding called on Government to demand full and complete disclosure from bailed-out banks on lending.

“While Irish banks have been recapitalised with enormous fiscal injections, the truth of the matter is the bailed-out banks are not fixed, rescued bankers continue to utter untruths, banking reform is delayed and banking policy is turning good business bad,” said Mr Fielding.

“This present administration must stop their current love affair with the banks, demand changes in bank operations and insist that they partake in a positive way in the recovery.”

However, the Irish Banking Federation (IBF) rejected the report’s findings and accused the Central Bank of pursuing a populous line.

IBF chief executive Pat Farrell said: “I can understand why sentiment towards banks is very negative because of the circumstance we find ourselves, but I would have expected more than a populous line from the Central Bank.

“I would reject the findings of the report because the definitive report on this area is the Mazars Report.”

He said the Mazars Report – which was commissioned by the Department of Finance and examined 1,500 SMEs in the same period – established banks were meeting the demand from small businesses.

Less than 500 firms were surveyed for the Central Bank study, which also found Ireland had the second highest number of firms afraid or discouraged from borrowing, while changes in terms and conditions linked with new bank credit were among the least favourable in the euro area.

Co-author and economist, Fergal McCann, denied the study was spin.

“The Central Bank is an independent institution and all we have done in this report is place Ireland in a ranking of European countries using two useful and valuable data sources,” he added.

New lending to SMEs amounted to €407m at the start of 2012, a 29.6% drop from three months earlier and down from more than €700m since the end of 2010.

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) said hotels continue to face unjustifiable difficulties in accessing appropriate levels of credit from financial institutions.

John Whelan, of the Exporters Association, added: “The simple fact of the matter is that many exporting firms are still unable to get adequate finance to sustain their existing business and to grow their export markets.”

Elsewhere, Chambers Ireland raised concerns at the high level of businesses not applying for loans for fear of rejection.

However, Allied Irish Banks (AIB) maintained it exceeded its SME lending target of €3bn in 2011 and was 17% ahead of its €3.5bn target for 2012.

“We fully recognise that today’s credit process is more extensive than it was in previous times,” it said.

“We believe this is appropriate and is in no way meant to be an obstacle to obtaining credit

Green tea extract ‘eradicates skin cancer with no side-effects’

BUT DRINKING IT DOES NOT WORK

  

A green tea extract has a potent effect on cancer cells in the lab

A chemical found in green tea has been used to treat two types of skin cancer, scientists say.

The extract is too weak to make an impact when consumed in tea. However, when applied to cancer cells in the lab it made two-thirds of tumours shrink or disappear.

Scientists at the universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow, who carried out the research, found the extract, known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), had no side-effects on other cells or tissue.

They created a cell with EGCg and transferrin, a protein that naturally targets and latches on to the surface of cancer cells, and applied it to tumours.

Tests were done on two types of skin cancer: epidermoid carcinoma which forms scales on the surface of the skin and melanoma which often develops in people who have moles on their skin.

In both studies, 40 per cent of tumours vanished, while 30 per cent of tumours in carcinoma cases and 20 per cent in melanoma cases shrank. A further 10 per cent of melanoma tumours were stabilised, so did not grow or shrink.

Around 10,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with melanoma each year, with the majority women, according to the Macmillan Cancer Support charity.

Anti-cancer properties of EGCg were established in earlier laboratory tests elsewhere. Scientists at other universities around the world have experimented with it to treat prostate cancer and leukaemia.

Lead researcher Dr Christine Dufes, from the University of Strathclyde, said: ‘These are very encouraging results which we hope could pave the way for new and effective cancer treatments.

‘When we used our method, the green tea extract reduced the size of many of the tumours every day, in some cases removing them altogether. By contrast, the extract had no effect at all when it was delivered by other means, as every one of these tumours continued to grow.

‘This research could open doors to new treatments for what is still one of the biggest killer diseases in many countries.’

The research is published in the medical journal Nanomedicine.

Lovely roses of Tralee are in full bloom right now

  

The lovely Girls Rose’s have hit Tralee — and none of my fellow red-blooded Kerrymen are complaining.

It has its critics and sniggerers but year after year the Rose of Tralee proves a huge public, and TV, draw.

Who needs bikinis when you have a twinkle in the eye and a bit of Daithi O’Se’s Dingle patter?

It might be 2012 outside but in the Dome it’s still DeValera’s dream of comely maidens riverdancing at the crossroads. Or attempting to.

Excess weight & Obesity leads to diabetes

  

Lifestyle changes is the key to tackling Diabetes among  lower socio-economic groups in our society, say researchers who found that excess weight is the most important single contributing factor for developing the condition among these disadvantaged groups. 

The burden of type 2 diabetes disproportionally affects these groups. Lifestyle related risk factors are thought to play a key role, but previous studies have tended to underestimate their effect. 

So an international team of researchers set out to measure the contribution of several major risk factors for type 2 diabetes to socio-economic differences across society. 
They assessed health behaviours (smoking, alcohol consumption, diet and physical activity), body mass index, and biological risk markers (blood pressure and lipid levels) in 7,237 middle-aged adults without diabetes, measuring these risk factors repeatedly over an average of 14 years. 

All the study participants were taking part in the Whitehall II study, which is evaluating the impact of social and economic factors on the long-term health of around 10,000 British civil servants, aged between 35 and 55 in 1985. 

Socio-economic status was assessed through occupational position and reflected education, salary, social status, and level of responsibility at work. 
Over the average follow-up of 14 years, 818 cases of diabetes were identified. Participants in the lowest occupational category had a 1.86-fold greater risk of developing diabetes relative to those in the highest occupational category. 

Health behaviours and body mass index explained up to 45 percent of this socio-economic differential in both men and women when changes over time and long-term exposure were accounted for. With additional adjustments for biological risk markers, a total of 53 percent of the socio-economic differential was explained. 

Body mass index was the most important single contributing factor, explaining about 20 percent of socio-economic differences. 
This finding is not surprising, said the researchers, as weight gain is strongly socially patterned. 

However, the effects of diet and physical activity were smaller than expected, given that these behaviours are also strongly socially patterned, they added. The contribution of smoking and alcohol consumption was also modest. 

“Given the increasing burden of type 2 diabetes and the observed increase in social inequalities in prevalence of type 2 diabetes, further efforts to tackle these factors are urgently needed,” they concluded.

Footage emerges of massive blaze engulfing closed Donegal hotel

The huge blaze took control of the disused Lough Swilly Hotel in Buncrana Co Donegal last night Wednesday.

   

The blaze at the old Lough Swilly Hotel in Buncrana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rzjLvPC-bQ&feature=plcp

THE video footage (click above link) of a huge blaze which gutted a landmark Donegal hotel last night click above link to see the 42 second footage.

Lough Swilly Hotel on fire, Buncrana, Inishowen, County Donegal. Burning down on the 22nd August 2012

The former Lough Swilly Hotel in Buncrana, which was around 150 years old, had closed in the 1970s, and had been used as a music venue and a warehouse since then,  Local company Flanagans took the building over several years ago, but it had been under the control of Deloitte and Touche since Flanagans went into receivership last year. Brian Flanagan told Highland Radio that there had been some issues with vandalism at the site when it was in their control, leading to increased security.

In 2010 An Bord Pleanála had given the go ahead for the hotel to be knocked down to make way for a new development, but the work never went ahead.

Gardaí are launching an investigation into the cause of the blaze, which has now been extinguished. Roads in the area have reopened and Visit Inishowen has tweeted that the local ferry service is back in operation.

Donie's news Ireland daily Blog Friday

‘Government launches National carers’ strategy plan for Ireland

    

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny with Minister for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People Kathleen Lynch at the launch of National Carers’ Strategy at Government Buildings.

Minister of State at the Department of Health Kathleen Lynch has said she hopes carers will be “recognised, supported and empowered” as a result of the newly-published National Carer’s Strategy.

The strategy sets out a series of goals, including the need to recognise the needs of carers through the provision of income supports.

Ms Lynch said the presence of Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore at the launch was evidence of the importance Government placed on the strategy.

“The publication of this strategy sends a strong message to carers that Government recognises and values their selfless hard work and compassion which enhances the health and quality of life of thousands on a daily basis,” she said.

The strategy says the value and contribution of carers should be recognised and their inclusion in decisions relating to the person they are caring for should be promoted.

Carers should be supported to in managing their physical, mental and emotional health and well-being, the strategy adds. Carers should be supported to “care with confidence” through the provision of adequate information, training and services and should be empowered to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life.

Mr Kenny said it was time for Ireland to formally acknowledge and to care for carers, who deserved public protection and recognition.

“It is that inestimable element of quite simply love in our carers extraordinary work that seems them go that extra mile every single time.”

He said men, women and often children who were carers were often “at the very limits of their coping”. It was important to recognise the authority of carers, he added.

Home-based care by family members was preferred by the vast majority of people. “That care is not just the exhausting mechanics of washing, cleaning, dressing and exercise. It is also the cups of tea and the news brought home from work and school by children and grandchildren,” he said.

The Cabinet sub-committee on social policy, which is chaired by Mr Kenny, will monitor the progress of the strategy.

Mr Gilmore said Government Departments and agencies that deal with carers must take their lead from the strategy, which he described as “the first of its kind in Ireland”.

“I think it is important to recognise that far and away it is carers who know and understand the condition of the person that they are caring for,” he said. Carers often felt their expertise was not taken into account when decisions were being made by authorities.

The strategy was welcomed by the Carers Association of Ireland. The strategy noted that carers were predominantly the spouse of the person being cared for, and four in 10 carers were the sole carer for the person they looked after.

Census 2011 found that of the 187,112 people who identified themselves as carers, 73,999 were men. The strategy stated children and young people with caring responsibilities should be protected from “the adverse impacts of caring”.

Irish local authorities face cuts over Household Charge compliance

         

Local authorities are being notified that their budgets may be cut for a number of reasons, including the level of compliance achieved with the Household Charge to date.

The final quarter payment will be revisited in light of the Household Charge compliance level at that time

The Department of the Environment said letters have been sent to all county managers stating that funding may be restricted in the third quarter.

It also said consideration would be given to the financial position of individual local authorities as well as grants for a reasonable provision of services in communities.

In a statement, the department said that the final quarter payment will be revisited in light of the Household Charge compliance level at that time.

Fianna Fáil Senator Paschal Mooney has said it is shameful that the Government is penalising local government because people are not paying the Household Charge.

He said he is astonished that the department is imposing more cuts on councils.

Yesterday, hundreds of people attended a demonstration outside Leinster House against the charge.

The protest, organised by the Campaign Against Household and Water Taxes, was timed to take place ahead of the start of the Dáil summer recess.

Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins was among those who addressed the demonstration.

Age Action Ireland threatens protests against proposed medical card cuts

     

Age Action Ireland has today warned that its members will stage protests if the Government cuts back on medical cards for the over-70s.

Yesterday, the IMF’s mission chief for Ireland said the cards should be means-tested.

Age Action Ireland director of advocacy and communications Eamon Timmins said that pensioners would take to the streets if these proposals are introduced.

“If that was to happen it would represent an unprecedented attack on Ireland’s older people,” he said.

“Certainly we as Age Action would vigorously oppose it, and I’m sure we would not be alone

“I think the scenes we saw in 2008 would be repeated and, I think, on a much greater scale.”

Lack of Physical activity kills some 5.3 million a year globally

    

Fitness instructor Michelle Epstein leads a class at Flirty Girl Fitness in Toronto. New research says people need to be told about the dangers of inactivity, rather than just the benefits of exercise.

Lack of physical activity could be causing as many deaths worldwide as smoking and obesity do, say researchers who are calling on people to take at least a 15-minute brisk walk each day.

This week’s issue of the medical journal The Lancet includes a series of studies leading up to the London Olympics to highlight how little physical activity most people worldwide actually get and how dire the health consequences are.

Researchers want adults worldwide to sit less and move more to gain health benefits.

I-Min Lee from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and her co-authors estimated that worldwide, physical inactivity causes six per cent of the burden of disease from coronary heart disease, seven per cent of Type 2 diabetes, 10 per cent of breast cancer, and 10 per cent of colon cancer.

What’s more, physical inactivity was blamed for nine per cent of premature mortality — more than 5.3 million deaths of the 57 million deaths globally in 2008.

Eliminating physical inactivity could increase life expectancy by 0.68 years. That may seem small, they said, but the gains are for the whole population, not just inactive people who start moving more.

Canadian health authorities recommend that adults get 2½ hours of physical activity a week.

Tanya Berry holds a Canada Research Chair in physical activity promotion at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Berry said her research suggests half of Canadians think they’re moving enough, but they’re mistaken.

“If you actually put a little accelerometer or pedometer on people, something that actually objectively measures how active they are, it’s closer to 15 per cent are actually active and 85 per cent of Canadians are not active enough to achieve health benefits.”

The Lancet researchers said people need to be told about the dangers of being sedentary, rather than just the benefits of exercise. They urged governments to find ways to make physical activity more convenient, affordable and safer.

“This series emphasizes the need to focus on population physical activity levels as an outcome, not just decreasing obesity,” Harold Kohl, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Texas and one of the Lancet authors, said in a release.

Kohl recommended prioritizing physical activity across sectors including health, transportation, sports, education and business.

Min-Lee and her co-authors acknowledged that not everyone is capable of being physically active.

“This summer, we will admire the breathtaking feats of athletes competing in the 2012 Olympic Games,” the researchers concluded.

“Although only the smallest fraction of the population will attain these heights, the overwhelming majority of us are able to be physically active at very modest levels — 15 to 30 minutes a day of brisk walking — which bring substantial health benefits.”

Health Issues Ireland:

Ireland’s Diabetes patients need 

‘regular Blood Pressure & kidney checks’

      

The rates of stroke and kidney failure among people with diabetes have now reached record levels in Ireland, according to the advocacy group Diabetes Ireland.

Thus highlights the importance of people with diabetes having their blood pressure and kidney function checked every year, according to Dr Anna Clarke, Health Promotion Manager with Diabetes Ireland.

The group points out that latest figures show rates of inpatient treatment for stroke and kidney failure were significantly higher in 2010 than in 2006.

There has been a 36% increase in strokes since 2006 among those with diabetes, and a 62% rise in kidney failure among the same patient cohort.

Dr Clarke said people with diabetes should have blood pressure and kidney checks as part of their annual full physical review.

She pointed out that stroke, kidney failure and other complications of diabetes can be prevented if diabetes is diagnosed early and people are given good support and healthcare.

The increased levels of stroke and kidney failure among people with diabetes in Ireland suggest a failure in preventative care in this area, according to Dr Clarke.

Diabetes in pregnancy going undiagnosed and untreated in Ireland

     

HSE figures show a significant increase in recorded diagnoses of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) between 2005-10, but because only a selective group of high-risk women are screened, many cases are going undiagnosed and untreated. 

There will be an estimated 70,000 deliveries in Ireland this year.  A recent HRB funded study on GDM conducted in NUI Galway shows that the prevalence of GDM is 12.4% in expectant mothers in Ireland when adopting a universal screening approach.

Screening for GDM should be part of standard GP anti-natal care for Ireland

   

Despite this evidence, screening for GDM continues to be offered inconsistently and diagnostic criteria vary from one part of the country to another.  At present screening for GDM does not even form part of the HSE’s “Maternity and Infant Care Scheme”, which all expectant mothers are entitled to receive free from their GPs. 

Diabetes Action wants standardised screening for GDM to be available to expectant mothers from their GPs.  It says this will increase diagnosis and treatment levels, but also to protect the long-term health of mothers and babies.

“GDM is the most common medical problem among pregnant women.  Among the risk factors are age, being overweight and physically inactive.  Overweight and obesity in pregnancy is a growing problem contributing to GDM and affecting 58% of women.  Additionally and irrespective of the association of GDM, it is also a causing independent health problems for mother and infant”, explains Prof. Fidelma Dunne, NUI Galway.

The School of Medicine at NUI Galway launched (Friday 25th May) a special results supplement of the Irish Medical Journal on the unique study into GDM called “Atlantic-DIP” (Diabetes in Pregnancy), whose principle investigator is Prof. Dunne.

“The risk of complications during birth is also much higher for women with uncontrolled GDM and the condition is associated with premature births, caesarean deliveries, large babies, and three-times higher likelihood of neo-natal ICU admission” she said.

“Women who develop GDM run a seven times greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes after their pregnancy: an ongoing follow up study to Atlantic-DIP has identified that 30% of women have developed type 2 diabetes within five years of the index pregnancy”.

Diabetes Ireland says that the first step towards tackling the problem would involve national standardisation of screening and diagnosis of GDM before ensuring that diagnosed women would be referred to see a multi-disciplinary team in an anti-natal or diabetes clinic within two weeks of being diagnosed with GDM.

“It makes sense for GPs to screen at-risk expectant mothers for GDM as part of the “Maternity and Infant Care Scheme”, says Dr. Anna Clarke from Diabetes Ireland. “We know from Atlantic-DIP that hospitals are not the appropriate site for screening, as ease of access was a key factor the uptake of screening. This is why we are calling on the HSE to incorporate GDM screening into the standard maternity care at GP level”.

A baby’s short and long-term health outcome is linked with the mother’s health.   In the long-term babies born to mothers with GDM have an increased risk of obesity in adolescence and early adult life, adolescent metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, high cardiac risk, and abdominal fat leading to insulin resistance) and type 2 diabetes in adulthood.

“GDM can be treated successfully but it is essential for mother and baby to be diagnosed at the appropriate time (usually 24-28 weeks gestation) in the pregnancy.  In addition it identifies a group of women at high risk of future diabetes, who can expect to benefit in the long term from risk-reducing interventions”, according to Mary Coffey, an advanced midwife practitioner specialising in GDM at Holles Street.

New protocol after death of Irish boy Rory Sexton aged 12 in New York

   

Rory Staunton taking his first flying lesson in 2011.

Nearly four months after the death of 12-year-old Irish boy Rory Staunton, and a week after the New York Times published an in-depth investigation into the misdiagnosis that led to his death, the New York hospital where he died has announced changes in procedures intended to prevent a recurrence of such medical errors.

From now on physicians and nurses at the New York University Langone Medical Center will “immediately be notified of certain lab results suggestive of serious infection, such as elevated band counts”, a statement from the hospital said yesterday.

As a direct response to the death of Rory on April 1st, a new checklist had been established, said a spokeswoman. Patients would not be discharged before “a final review of all critical lab results and patient vital signs”.

“We have won a small measure of justice in Rory’s name,” said publisher Niall O’Dowd, an uncle of the dead boy. Rory was the son of immigrants Ciarán and Orlaith Staunton. He died from septic shock four days after cutting his elbow while playing basketball.