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Blackrock Clinic launches new device to help combat AF
The Blackrock Clinic recently started its new program of electroporation for the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation.
Conventional catheter ablation for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias uses tissue heating (radiofrequency current) to cauterize the targeted heart muscle. Such heating by conventional catheter ablation is a long-established approach, but does carry a small risk of thermal injury outside the heart. Recently developed electroporation systems achieve controlled cauterization of targeted heart muscle without significant tissue heating. Early results with this alternative energy source indicate there may be a lower associated risk of complications to surrounding organs in addition to a potentially higher acute procedural success rate.
The use of electroporation to effect targeted heart muscle can potentially offer more selective and controlled tissue effects than thermal ablation.
The mechanism of action of electroporation on heart muscle has been studied in experimental models since the 1990s. The delivery of a high energy single electric shock or a series of shocks in quick succession results in temporary pores in the cell membrane. These nonselective pores permit the entry and exit of compounds into the cell that would not usually be permitted to pass freely into or out of the cell.
Alzheimer’s Mobile Information Service is travelling around Ireland
UK care homes turn to robot pets
The Alzheimer’s Society Mobile Information Service travels throughout Ireland and visits towns, villages, and cities to raise awareness about dementia and to provide vital information to people who are affected by Alzheimer's and dementia. Experienced staff and Dementia Advisers will be with the service to provide information and support about memory loss, how a diagnosis is made, managing day to day life with dementia, as well as information about supports and services available in the local area
May
• 19th May Bray Seafront • 20th-22nd May Ballymaloe May Fair, Co Cork • 23-24th May Bantry, Co Cork • 30th May Mullingar, Co Westmeath
June
• 4th-6th June Carrick-on-Shannon Festival, Co Leitrim • 28th June Gorey, Co Wexford Many care homes around the UK have turned to robotic companion pets, such as those produced by Joy For All, to provided their residents with company over the pandemic.
Research has shown that robotic animals can alleviate loneliness among older people. Researchers have found that this technology can significantly reduce anxiety levels and provide calm and comfort.
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Rethink Ireland €750,000 fund for Munster communities
Rethink Ireland has announced the opening of a €750,000 fund to support not-for-profit organisations, including charities and social enterprises, improving health outcomes in the larger Munster region. The one-year Impact Fund will invest in up to 10 innovative projects that are promoting healthy lives and well-being for all across Munster. Up to five awards will be made to projects and/or organisations that use music, creativity, or the arts to enhance the physical and mental health of their communities.
The Impact Fund for Munster is backed by a number of local donors including the Parkes Family Limerick, The Sunflower Charitable Foundation, Community Foundation for Ireland, and several private donors, with match funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Dormant Accounts Fund.
Eligible projects are invited to apply to the €750,000 Impact Fund before 1 pm on Tuesday, 14 June 2022 at the Rethink Ireland website: https://rethinkireland.
ie/current_fund/impact-fund-formunster-2022/
Pictured at the launch of the new survey is Minister O'Gorman T.D. with Aideen Hartney, Director of the National Disability Authority (3rd from right) with members of Glasnevin Village Active Retirement Group (from left) Tom Miley, Laura Heasley, Marie Colgan and Joe Reid Photo credit: Tom Honan A national online survey focusing on the topics of wellbeing and social inclusion had been launched.). It aims to find out how included people from all sectors of Irish society feel, as well as their thoughts and opinions on social inclusion in Ireland today. The survey is open to everyone living in Ireland over the age of eighteen, is completely anonymous and takes just 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
The survey is now live and available to complete in English, Irish, Irish Sign Language, Polish and, Romanian (www. howsitgoing.ie ). Alternative formats are available on request. The survey will be open for a 6-week period.
The survey will provide a benchmark measurement of the wellbeing and social inclusion of different groups in Ireland. The aim is to find out if people feel like they belong and feel valued and respected in their communities. It will also determine how people participate in society and how they interact with others in the community. The survey data will highlight groups that believe they are enjoying high levels of wellbeing and social inclusion and groups that are finding the going tough and are not fully participating in Irish society. The data will provide evidence that can be used to guide improvements to public services and policies to make Ireland a more inclusive and better place to live. It will be possible to compare results from this survey to future similar surveys.
For further information or to complete the survey today log onto
www.howsitgoing.ie
Anything Goes opens at Bord Gais Theatre
The Multi Tony Award – winning musical Anything Goes will be playing at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre which is running from 18th to 28th May.
Anything Goes has music and lyrics by Cole Porter. This production is directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award Winner Kathleen Marshall, and Sunday she won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer. The musical stars award winning actor Simon Callow as the iconic Elisha J. Whitney.
Simon Callow is most famous for his role in Four Weddings and a Funeral. He has an impressive film and TV career including some acclaimed and award-winning films, such as Amadeus, A Room With A View (starring alongside Daniel Day-Lewis, Dame Judi Dench & Dame Maggie Smith), Shakespeare in Love, Victoria & Abdul (teaming up once again with Judi Dench). He recently starred in the Disney/Marvel’s hit show Hawkeye.
Cancer Trials Ireland to Host Public Seminar
Marking International Clinical Trials Day on Friday May 20, Cancer Trials Ireland will host a free webinar on clinical trials for members of the public. The virtual event to promote public understanding of clinical trials is taking place as part of the Just Ask campaign. This initiative encourages patients to enquire of their doctors if there is a clinical trial suitable for them. The webinar will feature a presentation from clinical trial expert, Professor Seamus O’Reilly, (consultant medical oncologist and Vice Clinical Lead Cancer Trials Ireland) on how trials work and how to access them, while previous trial participants will share their experiences on what to expect.
The event will take place from 2-3pm on May 20 and will be live streamed online. To register, email info@cancertrials.ie.
