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20/06/2008
Taxpayers Could Face €500m Bill Over MRSA
Irish taxpayers could reportedly be facing a bill of up to €500m due to hospital superbugs like MRSA.
Reports this morning say the State Claims Agency has estimated that the average cost of compensation claims over hospital-acquired infections could be more than €300,000.
It says the state could face 1,500 claims and a total bill of up to €500m in compensation pay-outs and legal costs.
The agency is currently dealing with around 100 claims relating to superbugs, but says it is aware of one legal firm that is building up a class action-type lawsuit on MRSA.
However, the number of MRSA cases in 53 Irish hospitals actually fell to 526 in 2007 from 572 the previous year.
MRSA is a strain of a bacterium that has become resistant to treatment with antibiotics.
The bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, is often found on the skin of healthy individuals. It is estimated that 25-30% of people have the bug living harmlessly on their skin.
Problems can occur when it gets under the surface, through a cut or graze. Infection from MRSA is a worldwide phenomenon, and the bug has been a major killer in as far a field as America and China.
(DW)
Reports this morning say the State Claims Agency has estimated that the average cost of compensation claims over hospital-acquired infections could be more than €300,000.
It says the state could face 1,500 claims and a total bill of up to €500m in compensation pay-outs and legal costs.
The agency is currently dealing with around 100 claims relating to superbugs, but says it is aware of one legal firm that is building up a class action-type lawsuit on MRSA.
However, the number of MRSA cases in 53 Irish hospitals actually fell to 526 in 2007 from 572 the previous year.
MRSA is a strain of a bacterium that has become resistant to treatment with antibiotics.
The bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, is often found on the skin of healthy individuals. It is estimated that 25-30% of people have the bug living harmlessly on their skin.
Problems can occur when it gets under the surface, through a cut or graze. Infection from MRSA is a worldwide phenomenon, and the bug has been a major killer in as far a field as America and China.
(DW)
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05 March 2014
Increase In New MRSA Strains In Non-Hospital Environment
Microbiologists from the Dental School in Trinity College Dublin, in collaboration with the National MRSA Reference Laboratory and Alere Technologies in Germany, have identified significant increases in the prevalence, genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance of PVL-positive MRSA circulating in Ireland in the 10 years between 2002-2011.
Increase In New MRSA Strains In Non-Hospital Environment
Microbiologists from the Dental School in Trinity College Dublin, in collaboration with the National MRSA Reference Laboratory and Alere Technologies in Germany, have identified significant increases in the prevalence, genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance of PVL-positive MRSA circulating in Ireland in the 10 years between 2002-2011.
04 February 2014
Minister Reiterates Apology To Louise O'Keeffe
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, today gave his Cabinet colleagues a preliminary update on the implications of last week's judgement from the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Louise O'Keeffe. Minister Quinn has endorsed the apology of the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste to Ms O'Keeffe.
Minister Reiterates Apology To Louise O'Keeffe
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, today gave his Cabinet colleagues a preliminary update on the implications of last week's judgement from the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Louise O'Keeffe. Minister Quinn has endorsed the apology of the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste to Ms O'Keeffe.
01 April 2011
Arson Suspected As Blaze Almost Claims Life
Police in the North are investigating two suspected arson attacks in a residential area of east Belfast. In the latest incident, a house at St Leonard's Crescent was almost destroyed in a blaze. Occupant Stephen McElwee was asleep when his home went up in flames.
Arson Suspected As Blaze Almost Claims Life
Police in the North are investigating two suspected arson attacks in a residential area of east Belfast. In the latest incident, a house at St Leonard's Crescent was almost destroyed in a blaze. Occupant Stephen McElwee was asleep when his home went up in flames.
11 October 2012
Parents Face €500,000 Legal Bill After Losing Negligence Case
The parents of a brain-damaged child have lost a court action over alleged negligence in their son's treatment after his birth at the National Maternity Hospital, and now face legal costs of up to €500,000. Mr Justice Sean Ryan said he had no choice under law but to award half of the costs of the case to the hospital.
Parents Face €500,000 Legal Bill After Losing Negligence Case
The parents of a brain-damaged child have lost a court action over alleged negligence in their son's treatment after his birth at the National Maternity Hospital, and now face legal costs of up to €500,000. Mr Justice Sean Ryan said he had no choice under law but to award half of the costs of the case to the hospital.
18 June 2013
Fathers Rights Groups Claims Responsibility For Taoiseach Protest
Reponsibility for a picket of Taoiseach Enda Kenny's, where a number of protesters were wearing masks, has been claimed by a group called Fathers Rights Ireland. A spokesman for the group has claimed that they chose to protest on Fathers Day to highlight a lack of rights for fathers.
Fathers Rights Groups Claims Responsibility For Taoiseach Protest
Reponsibility for a picket of Taoiseach Enda Kenny's, where a number of protesters were wearing masks, has been claimed by a group called Fathers Rights Ireland. A spokesman for the group has claimed that they chose to protest on Fathers Day to highlight a lack of rights for fathers.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
