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Irish Heart Foundation welcomes under 18s cigarette ban.
The Irish Heart Foundation has welcomed the news that Minister for Health Simon Harris brought proposed legislation to Cabinet to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to under-18s, but warned that much more needs to be done to ensure that another generation of young people in this country does not become addicted to nicotine.
Chris Macey, Irish Heart Foundation Head of Advocacy, said:
‘The Irish Heart Foundation welcomes the proposed legislation to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to children under the age of 18. However, much more needs to be done to ensure that another generation of young people in this country does not become addicted to nicotine.
‘We know from our experience with youth smoking that a ban on sales to minors alone will not work. It is vital that in tandem with this measure a blanket ban is applied on the advertising of e-cigarettes to all age groups. Surreptitious online marketing tactics have driven what the Surgeon General has described as an epidemic of youth e cigarette use in the US. We also need to ban flavoured e-cigarettes. These are clearly aimed at young people, not those long-term smokers who might benefit from vaping.’
Innovative libraries respond to population ageing
Fingal libraries are working with Age Friendly Ireland and other libraries across the Country to develop libraries in an Age Friendly way. Minister, Michael Ring, Department of Rural and Community Development officially launched the National Age Friendly Libraries Recognition recently.
The proportion of older people is increasing in almost every country of the world and as life expectancy increases, the need to ensure that Ireland becomes a great country in which to grow old is increasing too. In 2016 data from the Healthy and Positive Ageing Initiative (HaPAI) survey showed that many older people were not using their public libraries, many reported finding them difficult to access.
On foot of these findings, Age Friendly Ireland initiated a process with the Libraries Development Committee and the CCMA to encourage libraries to develop in a more age friendly way. Each local authority nominated one or more libraries to become an Age Friendly Library and in January this year, Age Friendly Ireland provided training in age friendly principles to 48 libraries nationally.
Two Fingal Libraries, Rush library and Malahide library received the Age Friendly charter at the ceremony.
Successful launch of Ex-Pat Expo on Costa del Sol
2 Senior Times l January - February 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie The recent inaugural Ex-Pat Expo –formerly the 50 Plus Expo -- at the IPV Hotel in Fuengirola drew positive comments from both exhibitors and visitors. Event sponsors Dunnes Stores Fuengirola displayed everything from candles to cashmere and store manager Leo Keheone said he was ‘delighted’ with the response to his company’s products, particularly the Christmas decorations and party clothes. The lifestyle event for the Costa del Sol residents featured an extensive mix of interests which drew impressive attendances on both days. Popular attractions were fashion shows, yoga demonstrations, free health tests as well as finance, legal and consumer advice. Once again Eric Knowles from The Antiques Roadshow and coin expert Mike Kelly were on hand to give free valuations. And once again they were both swamped with collectors. Said Eric: ‘This was one of the best events I have ever attended anywhere in terms of the quality of items brought. I have recommended two pieces to be brought to auction, one I valued at 15,000 Euro and the other at 10,000 Euro. Mike Kelly was similarly delighted, having valued one collection of coins at 5,000 Euro. Health and well-being was a popular feature of the event, with hearing specialists Sontec giving free tests and Specsavers offering eye monitoring. One of the most popular health stands was that of The Diabetic Support Group. Said organizer Anne Bowles: ‘The response was fantastic and we gave over 300 tests’. The British Care Services team had ‘a fantastic weekend attending the ExPat Expo’. It was a brilliant opportunity to network with local businesses and liaise with residents of the Costa Del Sol. We will certainly be returning next year!’. Concluded organiser Des Duggan: ‘Such was the interest in the event that we are seriously considering repeating it in the spring’ Eric Knowles was delighted with the quality of itemsThe Mapuchi Moda team gave fashion shows each day. The Dunnes Stores Christmas decorations proved popular
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The victorious South Tipperary team
A South Tipperary Frailty Team, based at Our Lady’s Campus Cashel and South Tipperary General Hospital, has scooped the coveted President’s prize at the recent 67th Irish Gerontological Society Annual and Scientific meeting held at the Clayton Silversprings Hotel in Cork. Special recognition was given to Aine O’Reilly, Senior Pharmacist who works with the Support Team for Elderly Persons (STEP). She has developed a tool specifically designed to highlight frail older patients who are at a higher risk of medication related safety issues. From 350 oral and poster presentations, Aine was one of only 10 prize recipients that recognises excellence in linking research to practice.
Aine’s work titled ‘First Steps Towards’ Tailoring Frailty Specific Clinical Pharmacy Referrals’ aims to identify and prioritise patients who require medications review. The risk of being prescribed inappropriate medication can double if you are frail and this can lead to serious side effects that are preventable. The projected population living over 80 in Ireland is expected to rise by at least 90% by 2030, so therefore it is important to expand the services supporting the older person.
STEP, which is the new integrated care team funded by the HSE and the National Clinical Programme for Older Persons, is led by Consultant Geriatricians Dr. Isweri Pillay and Dr. Christina Donnellan. The team comprises of physiotherapy, dietetics, speech and language therapy, pharmacy and advanced nurse practice services. Each of the disciplines is represented at a highly trained specialist level for working with frail older people in the South Tipperary area.
The team aims to provide comprehensive assessment for patients aged seventy years and over who have multiple and complex medical and social needs. STEP works with hospital and community health services and the available voluntary agencies within the area. Referrals for the service are accepted by Consultants, GPs and other HSE Health and Social Care Professionals. The Health Products Regulatory Authority 2018 annual report details its key activities and progress across an extensive range of work programmes. It outlines the breadth of its outputs delivered in each of the health product areas it regulates with a core focus of protecting public and animal health. The report also highlights how the national regulator responded effectively and rapidly to significant external developments impacting the wider health sector. HPRA Annual Report details wide range of programmes
During 2018, the HPRA’s activities included: • The authorisation of 376 new human medicines during 2018 following an assessment of their safety, quality and effectiveness. • There were 118 new marketing authorisations is sued for veterinary medicines contributing to the record figure of approximately 1,800 veterinary medicines now authorised for the Irish market. • 100 clinical trials of human medicine products were approved to commence in 2018 (2017: 96). • The HPRA received 10,398 adverse reaction reports in relation to human medicines in 2018. In respect of veterinary medicines, there were 394 suspected adverse reactions and events reported during the year. The HPRA welcomes the commitment to reporting among healthcare professionals and the general public as the information received contributes significantly to the ongoing monitoring of medicines safety on the Irish market. • A total of 196 human medicine recalls and six recalls relating to veterinary medicines. • The HPRA initiated 4,532 enforcement cases (2017: 3,866). 619,213 dosage units of illegal medicines were detained during the year (2017: 984,915). The illegal products detained included sedatives (36%), erectile dysfunction medicines (18%) and anabolic steroids (16%). • 2,358 medical device vigilance reports were notified and assessed during 2018 (2017: 2,339). • 104 good manufacturing practice (GMP) inspections were undertaken at manufacturing sites producing human medicines and active substances. 12 GMP inspections were conducted at sites that manufacture / test veterinary medicines.
New European and North American routes from Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus is set to commence four new European routes and open up even greater capacity on its transatlantic network from summer 2020. AL announced its upcoming Dublin summer schedule with news that it will commence flying direct from Dublin to Italian cities Brindisi, Puglia and Alghero, Sardinia from next year. Aer Lingus also announced new direct routes from Shannon Airport to Paris and Barcelona, commencing March and May respectively.
Italy continues to be one of the most popular European destinations for Irish sun-seekers and city breakers. Those in search of an Italian adventure in 2020 will be pleased that Aer Lingus has added its 10th and 11th routes into the country, direct from Dublin.
as a base to explore the greater Puglia region, from the olive groves in Salento to the traditional Trulli houses in Alberobello, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.
Summer 2020 will see Aer Lingus’ best ever capacity to North America with 1.9 million seats on sale to transatlantic destinations. Orlando, Florida will move from a four flights per week service to six flights per week, the Miami service will increase from two to three flights per week and the Dublin to Seattle route will move to a daily service in summer 2020, increasing from five flights per week.
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