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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
‘A serious threat to public health': Doctors warn about delay to mandatory alcohol health labels
The delay to introducing mandatory warning labels on alcohol products by two years is a 'serious threat to public health', doctors have warned. The warnings, which would draw a direct link between alcohol and cancer, are among a raft of measures in the Public Health Alcohol Act to reduce consumption. The labels were due to be introduced in May 2026. However, this week Tánaiste Simon Harris confirmed the plans would need to be delayed in light of the potential impact of US president Donald Trump's threatened tariffs on trade. The labels will be delayed until 2028. The Irish Medical Organisation , the largest representative body for doctors in Ireland, has condemned the delay, stating it will result in preventable diseases and alcohol-related cancers. READ MORE [ Drinks Ireland warned Taoiseach that alcohol health labelling plans seen as 'trade barrier' by US Opens in new window ] Dr Anne Dee, president of the IMO and a consultant in public health, said the delay means 'health being ignored in favour of corporate interests'. 'It will result in preventable incidences of cancer, increased incidences of liver disease, and harm to children because of a refusal to fully enact a bill signed into law seven years ago,' she said. Under the law, once implemented, all bottles, cans and other containers must contain a back label stating: drinking alcohol causes liver disease; there is a direct link between alcohol and fatal cancers; a warning symbol for drinking when pregnant; and the website The label should also state the quantity of grammes of alcohol and the energy value expressed in kilojoules and kilocalories. The label must be at least 60mm wide and not less than 30mm high surrounded by a black border. Dr Dee said the labels are about giving people 'basic information' about the risks of cancer. 'These are irrefutable facts. There is no excuse for keeping them off the label. The longer this Government delays, the more irreversible damage is done.' The IMO is the latest organisation to criticise the delay in introducing the mandatory labels. Dr Sheila Gilheany, chief executive of Alcohol Action Ireland (AAI) also described the decision as a 'blow for public health' 'In the period to 2028 more than 3,000 people in Ireland will be diagnosed with cancer caused by alcohol. This includes some of the most common cancers in Ireland such as breast and bowel cancer with one in every eight breast cancers arising from alcohol,' she said. 'There will be upwards of 15,000 babies born with [Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder] FASD, which is a completely preventable neuro-developmental condition that has lifelong implications and is estimated to cost the Irish exchequer €2.4 billion a year in terms of service need.' Earlier this week, The Irish Times reported that drinks industry representative organisation, Drinks Ireland, warned Taoiseach Micheál Martin in April that plans for health labels on alcohol have been 'identified as a barrier to trade by the US'. The comments were made during a meeting sought to discuss the impact of US president Donald Trump 's threatened tariffs.
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Delaying alcohol warning labels prioritises profiteering over health, says Irish Medical Organisation
The Government's decision to delay the roll-out of warning labels on alcohol ignores health in favour of corporate interests and profiteering, the president of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has warned. As Ireland continues to experience worsening rates of liver disease, alcohol-related cancers, and foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), the planned roll-out of alcohol health information labelling has been delayed until 2028 at the earliest. The decision to delay the introduction of health warnings was approved this week by the Cabinet amid concerns the plan would undermine Irish trade competitiveness internationally. The labels, which warn of the health-related risks of alcohol and its link with cancer, had been due to come into effect in May 2026. President of the IMO, Dr Anne Dee, a consultant in public health, described the move as a 'serious threat to public health'. 'It will result in preventable incidences of cancer, increased incidences of liver disease, and harm to children because of a refusal to fully enact a bill signed into law seven years ago.' Labelling provisions under the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 are a critical tool in reducing alcohol-related harm, she added. An estimated 4.8% of babies born in Ireland suffer from FASD, which represents the third-highest incidence rate of the disorder in the world. 'This is about giving people the basic information that alcohol causes cancer, liver damage, and harm during pregnancy,' Dr Dee added. 'These are irrefutable facts. There is no excuse for keeping them off the label. The longer this Government delays, the more irreversible damage is done.' Dr Dee also criticised what she described as "the influence of vested interests in opposing the measure". 'We welcome the fact that the Government recently reiterated its refusal to meet with representatives of the tobacco industry in keeping with Ireland's obligations under international frameworks that recognise health-harming industries. But why is the alcohol industry, which produces a substance that results in the deaths of up to 1,500 people in Ireland every year, treated differently?' Lack of courage She called on the Government to implement all measures in the Public Health (Alcohol) Act, adding: "This delay shows a lack of courage and clarity when it comes to confronting the alcohol industry's influence, and an inability to act on the commercial determinants of health.' The Government decision to delay the introduction of alcohol health warnings comes against the backdrop of fears for Irish business from US trade tariffs proposed by Donald Trump. Ibec organisation Drinks Ireland welcomed the move and said it provided 'much-needed relief' for drinks producers in Ireland.
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Cork would need 80 more GPs under free universal access
The report on general practitioner supply and demand found that with increased universal access, people would visit their GP around 4.2 times per year, up from the current number of 3.6 visits, while a GP's average workload would go up from 29 consultations per day to 33. Nationally, universal access to free GP care would require around 500 extra GPs, the report found. In County Cork the additional requirement would be 82 whole-time equivalent (WTE) GPs. The report found that the daily number of complexity-adjusted GP consultations in West Cork is slightly higher than a recommended benchmark, which the authors attributed to a higher proportion of residents aged 70 and older in the region. The complexity-adjusted figure reflects that some demographic groups such as older people have longer consultation times and are more likely to require home visits. The report also found that parts of Cork have doctors with a relatively higher General Medical Services (GMS) contract age and so there is potentially an older GP population. The GMS contract governs services provided to medical card and GP visit card holders. "Around Tipperary, Cork, Monaghan, and Donegal where young people are moving out, so are young GPs. This is being counteracted by young GPs selecting into neighbouring areas," the report states. Areas in Cork with younger GMS contract-holders include Bandon and Mallow. The central part of Cork city has a relatively low uptake of the GMS contract among GPs, despite being an area with a relatively high cardholding population, the report found, while in East Cork the uptake of the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) contract is high, reflecting a large older population. In 2023 the total number of GPs in the country was 3,928 or one WTE GP per 1,973 people. Nationally, just over 20% of GPs work in a single-doctor practices and another 20% work in practices with two doctors. Thirteen per cent of GPs reported working at least 48 hours per week. The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has warned that Ireland's GP numbers are "critically low" and will be not improve without significant systemic change. The organisation, which represents doctors in Ireland, argues that there is a lack of supports to encourage doctors to enter or stay in General Practice.
The Journal
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Seven-day roster is 'robbing Peter to pay Paul', say consultants, as staffing still a pain point
CONSULTANTS HAVE EQUATED the health minister's decision to spread outpatient services across seven days with 'robbing Peter to pay Paul'. Minister Jennfier Carroll MacNeill today announced that thousands of healthcare staff – including senior consultants, social workers, administrative employees and therapists – will have to work weekends in an effort to curb overcrowding and reduce waiting times. The Irish Medical Organisation's (IMO) Consultant's Committee says, despite the minister's plans, no new rostering arrangements outside of existing contracts can be invoked. 'There has been no change to the contractual provisions already in place; consultants on the new public-only contract may be rostered over six days from Monday to Saturday. 'Meanwhile, those on older contracts may be rostered in line with their contractual provisions.' Professor Matthew Sadlier said they recognise the need to extend services to the weekend, but the presence of staff on these days will not be enough to alleviate the long delays for patients. 'We desperately need to see wholescale recruitment of staff and the elimination of the effective recruitment freeze,' he said. 'We also need greater capacity in acute beds so that all patients, once deemed ill enough to be admitted, can be moved to an appropriate bed and treated in the right setting.' Professor Sadlier warned that weekend rostering cannot come at the expense of weekday treatment. 'The IMO is not ideologically opposed to extended services, but their introduction cannot be based on robbing Peter to pay Paul where there may be a reduction in services on other days. 'If the HSE and government want extended services, they must invest in workforce and capacity and ensure that all services are safe for those working in them and using them.' Sinn Féin's health spokesperson David Cullinane said weekend rostering is a step in the right direction, but existing staff shouldn't be burdened by an increased workload. Advertisement 'This change by itself will see more staff working at weekends, but without additional staff it will mean less staff working during the week,' said Cullinane. 'The HSE must ensure that there is the same level of productivity and quality of care delivered whether it is during the week or at the weekend. More staff working ordinary contracted hours at the weekend and during the evenings is the best way to achieve this. 'Tinkering around the edges will only give the appearance of change, but it will not solve the waiting list crisis.' The health minister said the new arrangements will create a 'more spread out and stable hospital system'. Carroll MacNeill told RTÉ's News at One that those visiting hospitals this week will notice a 'huge difference' in the contrast of activity between weekdays and weekends. 'I've heard this argument from consultants: If you come in on Saturday, we won't be available another day. I already know that.' She said it's about having the same standard of care available every day of the week. The plan means more appointments for scans and other diagnostic activities will take place in the evenings and on weekends, with the hope of eventually having theatres operating on weekends too. MacNeill says she will now engage with hospital managers and clinical leadership about how the expanded roster can be implemented. She is to hold a conference in the Department of Health in September to hear how hospitals are finding the changes. The Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA) says they 'have no issues' working weekends and 'have done so for decades', but they welcome the provision of additional support staffing at weekends to help deliver care. 'However, it must be acknowledged that there is a finite number of consultants in the system. Simply rearranging rosters does not address the underlying and chronic issues facing our health service,' a spokesperson said. 'The core problem remains a capacity crisis — a shortage of beds, staff, and facilities — and any initiative that suggests otherwise risks creating a misleading sense of reassurance.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
18-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Almost 1,000 extra GP's required to meet demand over next 15 years
Clip • 6 Mins • 18 JUN • Morning Ireland Tadhg Crowley, GP Chair of the Irish Medical Organisation, on new research outlining the projected demand for GP services over the next 15 years.
