More health news in brief.
• STOP-SMOKING SUCCESS:One of the most successful stop-smoking programmes is the one run by the health promotion team at the Department of Preventative Medicine and Health Promotion at St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, writes Sylvia Thompson.
So, if you are a smoker (who lives nearby) and are determined to give up, get yourself along to the first session tonight at 7pm. Tel: 01- 2774958 for more details.
• CHRISTMAS COVER:A Scottish health board paid around £3,200 sterling to fly two GPs from mainland Europe to provide Christmas cover.
NHS Highland hired the doctors to provide emergency healthcare in remote practices in Shieldag and Gairloch and Aultbea in Wester Ross over the festive period.
Dr Annibale Bertollo (53) was flown from Venice to Inverness on December 22nd. He was put in a taxi to Dingwall, then given a hire car for the five days he had been asked to work at the Lochcarron and Torridon practice, according to newspaper reports.
However, he arrived five hours late after getting lost, which meant a GP at the health centre, Dr David Murray, also had to be paid overtime.
• SPORTS CONFERENCE:An international sports conference at NUI Galway next week will cover issues such as strength training for young athletes and maximising performances in female athletes.
The Strength and Conditioning Sports Conference will be hosted in conjunction with Sports Med West on Saturday, January 13th, in the Dangan Sports complex.
Dr Pat O'Neill, incoming Dean of the Irish College of Sports Medicine, will open the proceedings. Speakers on the day will include Dr Lee Browne, president of the National Strength and Condition Association (NSCA) of America, which is a 20,000-member organisation. James O'Toole of Sport Med West (who is also NUI Galway's sports medicine specialist) and Ger Hartmann, International Sports Injuries Clinic, will also address the audience on the current status of Irish sports medicine.
The conference will include the setting-up of an Irish Strength and Conditioning Association where existing members of the NSCA of America will be eligible for election to the new committee.
The conference, which will run from 9.15am to 3.15pm, costs €60 and includes lunch.
For bookings, contact James O'Toole, Sports Med West, on tel: 086-2359148 or jamesotoole1@hotmail.com
• CORRECTION:In the On the Couch column in the December 19th edition of the Health Supplement, the president of the Pharmaceutical Managers' Institute of Ireland was inadvertently named as Mr John Clare. He is, in fact, Mr John McCarthy.
• HSE CONTRACTS:The Health Service Executive (HSE) has said it is reviewing the provision of pharmaceutical wholesale and distribution services to both community pharmacy contractors and other healthcare locations in the Republic.
It is inviting submissions on the issue. Written or electronic submissions should be sent to the HSE Procurement Department, St Canices Hospital, Lacken, Dublin Road, Kilkenny, fax: 056-7784544 or e-mail cpu@hse.ie. Submissions should be sent by 5pm, Wednesday, January 24th.
• YOGA TEACHER TRAINING:Starting later this month, Yoga Therapy Ireland is offering a foundation course - six one-day workshops - in yoga training to anyone who would like to further their yoga practise with a view to teaching. The course will be run by a yoga teacher and a yoga therapist. Cost €480. Tel: 01-2352120 or e-mail yti@eircom.net for more details.
• WORKPLACE DEPRESSION:More than two-thirds of employers are not tolerant of depression in the workplace, according to a recent study. Yet, the acceptance of and understanding of depression is crucial as returning to work is part of the recovery process.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has estimated that depressive illness will be ranked as the second most disabling condition by 2010.
Aware, the support group for people suffering from depression, can be contacted on tel: 1890-303302. See www.aware.ie for information on location and times of support group meetings throughout Ireland.