A roundup of today's other health news in brief
Irish Times/ Pfizer debate on bed capacity
The controversial issue of just how many hospital beds the Republic needs will be the main topic for discussion at the fifth Irish Times/Pfizer health debate in Galway tomorrow night. The topic is: "This house believes that Ireland has insufficient bed capacity to meet our healthcare needs."
Among those proposing the motion will be David Hughes, deputy general secretary of the Irish Nurses’ Organisation, as well as the Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association.
Those speaking against the motion include the HSE and the author of a previous report on bed capacity, Paul Pierotti of PA Consulting.
The debate will be chaired by columnist and Irish Timesassistant editor, Fintan O'Toole.
The debates are open to the public and provide an opportunity to engage in open discussion about healthcare issues. The venue is the Main Theatre, Aras Moyola, NUIG, Galway. The debate begins at 7pm and entry is free. To register contact healthdebates@ogilvy.com or ring Orla Dormer on tel: 01-6690030.
25% of girls would not tell boyfriends about cervical jab
One in four girls having the cervical cancer jab would not tell a boyfriend they had been vaccinated, research in Britain has found.
One in five (21 per cent) think the vaccine is embarrassing because it is for a sexually transmitted infection, while 14 per cent think they may take more sexual risks in future because they are protected. Almost one in five girls (19 per cent) also think a boyfriend may expect them to take chances because they have had the jab.
However, 79 per cent of girls said having the vaccination reminds them of the possible risks of sexual contact and 93 per cent think it shows they are serious about their own health.
The survey of more than 500 girls, aged 12 and 13, was funded by GlaxoSmithKline, which makes the Cervarix vaccine currently used in a national immunisation programme.
It is the first survey to focus on girls’ views of the vaccine rather than asking their parents for their thoughts.