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Health

Last week
20th April 2025 - 26th April 2025
Over 1.2 million people sign petition to EU calling for financial support for abortions
Iron deficiency in pregnancy linked to heart disease in newborns in ‘gamechanger’ discovery
This month
April 2025
'Very few pharmacists' will sign up for free HRT scheme 'because €5 dispensing fee is too little'
The Irish Pharmacy Union has asked for a €6.50 fee to be provided to make the scheme viable for pharmacists.
One pharmacist said the €5 dispensing fee that the Government has proposed is "the same fee that was introduced 17 years ago".
Another pharmacist said that if she were to sign up for the scheme, "I would have to let my staff go, and I can't do that".
She said she does not know a single pharmacist that has signed up to the scheme "because they know they can't".
Free HRT will be available for all women from 1 June, as govt commits to covering dispensing costs
New guidelines on pharmacy dispensing fees to be developed after confusion over free HRT scheme
New study at Galway hospital to use AI to write discharge letters at emergency department
'I'll never forgive my country': Women on the trauma of having to travel to UK for terminations
“We brought our baby’s body back in our carry-on luggage, surrounded by frozen vegetables,” one woman told us.
Women can have abortions in Ireland for any reason up to 12 weeks gestation
Many still travel abroad to access abortion services for a variety of reasons
Some struggled to book appointments and bring their baby's remains home
'The most vulnerable are still being exported': Why and how women have to travel for abortions
Hundreds of women travel from Ireland to the UK every year for terminations.
Over 5,000 women in Europe have to travel abroad for abortions each year
Legal, bureaucratic and social obstacles are still faced by women, even if they live in countries where abortion is legalised.
At least 5,860 European women crossed borders for abortions in 2023
Routes of travel are shaped by the countries’ abortion laws and geographic proximity
The Netherlands — where termination is allowed up to 24 weeks — was the most frequent destination
Last month
March 2025
'I’m done with all this fannying about with something that was promised to us over six months ago'
We asked our readers to tell us how the delayed HRT scheme and supply shortages has affected them. Here’s what they said.
Some women told The Journal that they have to ration their HRT patches because of the cost per month.
One woman said the free HRT scheme was one of the reasons she voted for the Government. "I now feel foolish for believing them," she said.
Supply issues are also impacting women, with one woman travelling abroad to try and source the HRT patch that she is prescribed.
Have you been affected by the delayed free HRT scheme? We want to hear from you
Would you submit your DNA for ancestry testing?
'I presume this is free?' Confusion over when women will get long-awaited free HRT from pharmacies
A scheme that would see the State cover the cost of the drug was due to be rolled out in January, but it has yet to be implemented.
Pharmacists said there was “zero consultation” with the sector before the measure was announced as part of Budget 2025.
One pharmacist said the scheme is "a missed opportunity to get equality" in hormonal care for women of all ages.
Meanwhile, the clinical lead of the Rotunda's menopause clinic said supply shortages in some HRT products are currently "a much bigger issue" than cost.
Social Prescribing: What is it all about and how can it help our health?
Liz O'Hagan
Households with a disabled person can spend up to 93% of disposable income on costs of disability
Don't give slushies to under-8s, doctors and scientists warn
Health Minister meets pharmacies amid confusion and delay over free HRT scheme
Deaf charity hits out over rising waiting lists, with thousands of children left undiagnosed
February
February 2025
Living with a rare disease: 'After so long, we're reluctant to take the government at its word'
Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird
My story: 'The heart condition I've had since birth hasn't stopped me from living a happy life'
Grace Davitt
Health minister hopes for resolution to delays of free HRT roll out in a 'couple of weeks'
Eight in ten nurses say patients being treated in ‘inappropriate settings'
'King Kong' of weight-loss drugs, Mounjaro, will be available in Ireland from next week
'Missed opportunities' to prevent death of unusually large baby after womb rupture, rules coroner
First case of Clade I Mpox detected in Ireland as HSE says risk to public 'remains low'
Record number of patients on trolleys recorded in January
This year
2025
Your Stories: Have you had to travel abroad to access abortion services?
Rotunda pauses service allowing women to talk through their birth experience due to staff shortage
Women who have had difficult births they wanted to talk about have been upset to find the service on hiatus.
Delay in rollout of free HRT scheme criticised as 'slap in the face for thousands of women'
Last year
2024
Over 1,000 people in hospital with flu as HSE CEO says 'no doubt system is under pressure'
Opinion: Hypnosis can help with mental hygiene, to clear out negative habits
Florence Bray
Healthcare workers face Christmas without their children under 'inhumane' government rules
Children's hospitals performed almost 200 surgeries below target on children with spinal issues
Mid-west has lowest survival rate for cancer compared to national average
New survey shows just how healthy Irish people are - and how much we binge drink
Healthcare workers vote overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action amid 'staffing crisis'
Cancer patient: It takes an enormous toll on your body... and your pocket
Mark McCormick
Irish Life Health to increase price plans for third time within one year
Donohoe hits back at Chambers' accusations that Fine Gael manifesto not adequately costed
Staff at day centre have to boil kettle to bathe service users with intellectual disabilities
There has been no heating at the day centre in Islandbridge for months, an employee said.
Portable heaters are being used to keep service users warm, as staff contend with leaks and dampness
The employee said the situation is "Dickensian" and unsanitary