A roundup of today's other health stories in brief:
PARENTAL INFLUENCE: Parents who drink often or excessively in front of their children are more likely to see them growing up with a drink problem, it was claimed yesterday.
The risk was graphically shown in a new advertising campaign in the North which was launched by a partnership initiative between the Eastern Drugs and Alcohol Co-ordination Team (Edact), Belfast Community Safety Partnership and members of three local drug and alcohol forums.
SURGICAL HONOUR: The highest honour in British surgery was recently given to Prof Barry O'Donnell (pictured below) of Dublin, past president of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in England. The president of the English College, Bernard Ribero, said the award was "exceptional" because Prof O'Donnell was already a fellow by examination.
The citation, which was read by Prof Ray Fitzgerald of Dublin, referred to his distinguished career and unique work in children's surgery. It is estimated that the "Sting" operation, a minimally invasive 10-minute procedure for children's urinary infections, which he developed in partnership with Prof Prem Puri at the Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin, has been used on more than 200,000 children worldwide.
FAMILY DAY: The Erbs Palsy Association of Ireland hosts its 2007 Family Day in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone on Sunday next, April 29th. The association was formed 10 years ago.The main speakers will be Darragh Hynes, orthopaedic consultant, Dublin, and Patricia Kearney, disability officer, Athlone IT with registration at 10.30am.