HIQA study shows vaccines are the most effective safeguard against Covid-19

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published its advice to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on interventions and preventions to reduce the risk of serious Covid-19.

HIQA, who provide evidence-based advice to NPHET to inform public health policy in the context of Covid-19, examined 46 cohort studies which focused on modifiable health-related risk factors. These included being overweight/obese, exercising, smoking, being Vitamin D sufficient and alcohol consumption.

Additionally, HIQA advised on the effectiveness of drug (excluding vaccines) and non-drug interventions. They found there is insufficient evidence for any interventions, other than vaccines, were effective at reducing the risk Covid-19.

HIQA identified five relevant controlled drug trials, four of which considered ivermectin (conventionally used to treat parasitic worm infestations) and one which considered bamlanivimab (an immune therapy). The report found insufficient evidence on whether ivermectin or bamlanivimab is safe in preventing or reducing the severity of Covid and has advised against the use of these drugs outside of well-designed, regulated clinical trials.

The European Medical Agency (EMA) have strongly advised against the use of ivermectin to prevent or treat Covid-19 outside of controlled and regulated clinical trials. The EMA has approved bamlanivimab for emergency treatment of patients with severe Covid-19, however it has not been approved to prevent the disease.

Dr Máirín Ryan, HIQA’s Deputy CEO and Director of Health Technology Assessment, encouraged people to avail of the vaccine “as it continues to be the most effective safeguard against serious illness due to Covid-19”.

An overview of the advice is available here.

Construction underway on a new mental health campus in Tuam

Work is underway on the redevelopment of the Old Grove Hospital in Tuam after it was bought by the former Western Health Board twenty years ago.

The site is due to be transformed into a modern mental health campus and centre for disability and early intervention services. The project will see part-demolition, refurbishment and remodelling of the building at Vicar Street.

Work is also planned to begin at the end of July/early August on a new community nursing unit in the area.

The new facilities are expected to create between 250 and 300 jobs for people working in the health sector.

For more on the new development click here.

First public fertility hub launched at The Coombe

Ireland’s first public fertility hub has been launched at the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital.

The new hub will offer a multidisciplinary service to individuals and couples who are experiencing fertility issues.

The initiative is supported by the National Women and Infants Health Programme and The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.

The new clinic is one of the first to be created under the former Minister for Health Simon Harris’ €2 million support plan to provide fertility treatment as part of the public health system. A second hub in Cork is planned for later this year.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Lucy-Ann Behan, Consultant Endocrinologist, at The Coombe Women and Infants University Hospitalsaid it was “an important step in making fertility treatment more accessible to all.”

Access to the hospital's fertility hub service is available to those who have been unable to achieve a pregnancy after 6 months or more of trying and have been referred by their GP. Patients will have an initial consultation with a nurse specialist at the hub who will organise tests and a tailored treatment plan will be devised for the individual, or couple based on their results.

Further information about the Coombe’s new Fertility Hub can be found here.

Postdoctoral research fellow at UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems awarded Fulbright scholarship

Dr Purity Mwendwa,a postdoctoral research fellow at the UCD School of Nursing Midwifery and Health Systems is one of 31 recipients of this year’s Fulbright Irish Awards. The awards are open to all disciplines and offer students, scholars and professionals the opportunity to research, study or lecture in the United States.

Dr Mwendwa,as a Fulbright-HRB Health Impact Scholar,will be hosted in the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health at the University of California San Diego.

She will undertake research in collaboration with Dr Tala Al-Rousan to study influential factors and mechanisms involved in delivering dementia care and supports to culturally and linguistically diverse communities in San Diego.

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Simon Coveney announced the 2021 cohort of Fulbright Irish Awardees at an online celebration on 10 June.

To find out more about each of this year’s awardees, click here. 

Minister Donnelly praises healthcare workers involved in Covid-19 vaccine rollout

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly has praised healthcare workers for their efforts in the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine.

In a video message posted on Twitter after he received his first vaccine dose, Minister Donnelly thanked all workers involved in the vaccination programme and gave a “special thanks” to the nurse who administered his dose.

I’ve just had my first #COVID19Vaccine at the centre in Greystones. Thanks so much to everyone involved, I feel privileged. Special thanks to nurse Fiona who made it such a brilliant experience

— Stephen Donnelly (@DonnellyStephen) June 5, 2021

He added that “incredible work” has gone into maintaining the pace of the rollout.