A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Cork factory set to make formula for 20% of babies
A CORK factory is set to produce formula to feed one-fifth of the worlds baby population by the end of 2012. Danone, a multinational manufacturer of infant nutrition products, said it was bucking the world crisis trend with steady sales growth, particularly in the Asian market.
A €50 million investment by the company in its Macroom factory will increase exports worth an additional €150 million, knocking Corks historic butter-producing legacy firmly into the margins. Sales for formulas produced for the French food giant at its Macroom factory have grown steadily since 2009, primarily in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Danones infant and baby formulas – marketed under the Cow Gate and Actimel brands – specialise in specific benefits such as boosting the body’s immune defences.
Irish production of infant formula feeds one in seven children across the globe at present, according to Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD. The figures will continue to rise, meaning 2012 could see one-fifth of babies around the world growing up on formula produced by Danone in Cork.
The expansion, part funded by Enterprise Ireland, will create an extra 40 permanent jobs at the processing facility.
A new drying line at the factory will treble annual capacity to about 100,000 tonnes of baby formula, 98 per cent of which will be exported and sold in 60 countries.
The development will increase demand for milk from local dairy co-op Dairygold, which supplies the vast bulk of Danones milk requirements.
Nursing home matron struck off for assault
THE MATRON of a nursing home who assaulted one of its residents has been struck off for professional misconduct. Mary Anne Morris was found to have assaulted the resident in November 2007 by grabbing and shaking him as well as striking him about the upper body.
The nursing home in which she worked has not been identified by An Bord Altranais in the decision published on its website. Its fitness to practise inquiries are held in private and, as a result, only findings are made public. However, this is due to change under a new Nurses and Midwives Bill.
The matron, whose registration number was 62771, was found to have shouted at the man, handled him roughly and caused him to be afraid of her.
In a separate decision by An Bord Altranais, a nurse who failed in his duty of care to a critically ill patient was also struck off. Stephen Frederick Boyling, whose number was 66596, was found to have failed to ensure adequate nursing care was provided to a patient in a hospital intensive care unit in September 2008. He was found to have failed to comply with directions of the medical team with regard to the ventilatory support to be provided to the patient overnight, failed to set alarms necessary for the adequate monitoring of the patient, and to have left the patient unattended. A third nurse, Mary Kate Murphy, whose number was 11318, was also struck off for professional misconduct for falsifying or altering prescriptions and retaining medications prescribed for patients for her own use between October 2008 and March 2009.
Advert targets erectile problems
A NEW TV advert aims to help men with erectile dysfunction (ED) overcome any embarrassment and seek help from their doctor. Dublin-based GP, Dr Justin Smyth said this type of campaign could prove successful in removing the difficulty associated with what can be seen as an embarrassing topic. “It is important for men experiencing ED symptoms to know that they are not alone – ED is a very common condition which we as doctors see and treat on a daily basis.” The advert, sponsored by Eli Lilly, will air on RTÉ, TV3, 3c and Setanta Sports. See manmatters.ie