More health news in brief.
VHI still looking at price options
The Department of Health said yesterday it was the Government's priority to ensure health insurance remains affordable for older people. "In this regard all policy options are being worked on to achieve this objective," it said.
Its comment came in the wake of reports that older VHI customers could face having their health insurance premiums tripled as a result of the Supreme Court decision in July not to allow risk equalisation.
The VHI has proposed the introduction of an interim alternative system of "co-payment" which would see the Government and older subscribers share the cost of premiums.
The Department said yesterday it was not in position to comment on any specific discussions that may be occurring with the VHI.
However, it said the Minister for Health Mary Harney made it clear in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment that the priority policy of the Government is to ensure health insurance remains affordable for older people.
NUI Galway's head of podiatry
NUI Galway has appointed Dr Caroline McIntosh head of podiatry.
Dr McIntosh will manage the School of Podiatry at the university, which offers the first undergraduate programme available in the State leading to a BSc (Hons) in Podiatry.
Dr McIntosh joins NUI Galway from the Division of Podiatry at the University of Huddersfield in Britain.