The operator of a Scottish nuclear site has begun checks on whether body tissue was removed from deceased ex-workers without the consent of their families. It follows claims that samples were taken from former Sellafield employees who died in the 1960s.
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The two nursing unions involved in a dispute with the Government are preparing a major escalation of their campaign. In the row for better pay and shorter working hours, the unions are planning to hold one-hour work stoppages at around 50 hospitals and mental health facilities.
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A 53-year-old man is due to appear in court accused of murdering an 11-year-old girl more than 30 years ago. Ronald Castree is charged with the murder of Lesley Molseed on Rishworth Moor, near Ripponden, West Yorkshire, between October 4 and October 9, 1975.
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A jury at the Central Criminal Court has been told that a 21-year-old man accused of murdering his 17-year-old sister was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of her killing. Patrick O’Dwyer of Shrohill, Ennistymon, Co Clare, denies murdering his sister, Marguerite, on 29 November, 2004.
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A shortage of specialist care for post-natal depression could drive more and more women to commit suicide, nurses warned yesterday. Suicide is the leading cause of maternal death and every year a small number even kill their own children.
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Health Minister Mary Harney is expected to get a frosty reception when she addresses the annual conference of the Psychiatric Nurses Association in Co Donegal today.
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Ambulance services are being stretched to “breaking point” because GPs have opted out of out of hours care, a union has claimed. The debt-ridden NHS is facing a shortfall of around 2,000 ambulance workers – with remaining staff having to work extra shifts to take up the burden, according to Unison.
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Gardai in Co Limerick are holding a 21-year-old man following a cannabis seizure yesterday afternoon. The man was detained after a search of a van on the N20 at Rourke’s Cross.
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Plans to tag old people so they can be tracked by satellite received a mixed reaction today. Science Minister Malcolm Wicks said technology could be used to help families keep tabs on frail or elderly relatives. He said tags, similar to those used to monitor criminals, could help give more freedom to those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
{mosimage}Kate Jopling, of Help the Aged, said that at first glance the proposal smacked of “Big Brother”. But she said the potential of new technology to help vulnerable older people should not be dismissed.
Shami Chakrabarti, director of Liberty, warned of “gimmicks” which are designed to replace expensive care. She said: “A debate about better care for the elderly is a good thing but technical gimmicks often provide cheap and quick fixes rather than dignified and possibly expensive care.”
Mr Wicks said the idea of using satellite monitoring to benefit society should be discussed. He said: “We’ve got an ageing population with many people frail and many suffering from dementia, including Alzheimer’s. How can we get the balance right so that these people have the freedom to live their lives, to go out in the community and go shopping?”
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Missed and cancelled hospital outpatient appointments cost the health service in Northern Ireland more than £11m, an Audit Office report has said. It said about one in 10 outpatient appointments does not take place.
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