More than half the children admitted to Irish hospitals end up in adult wards, according to a study by the group, Children in Hospital Ireland. This can have lasting consequences on their future emotional wellbeing, as they are exposed to sights and sounds which can have a traumatic impact, says the report. Surprisingly, it appears that four hospitals will only allow parents to visit at certain times and many hospitals discourage parents from staying with their children before and after surgery. Children in Hospital Ireland is campaigning for hospitals to end this practice and to ensure all children are cared for in appropriately staffed and supervised child-centred units.
Stroke remains a major cause of disability in the Republic, affecting 30,000 people and accounting for more than 4,000 deaths a year. Early identification of patients at risk may prevent fatal or disabling strokes. A free public lecture on stroke prevention will take place next Monday at 8 p.m. in the Education and Research Centre, St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin 4. No booking is necessary. The annual Stroke Study Day, hosted by the Irish Heart Foundation, takes place on Friday 28th May in Dun Laoghaire. Topics such as nursing, driving, sexuality, dementia and depression will be covered by medical experts. For booking, contact Annette Lehane, 01-668 5001.
The wonders of the Mediterranean diet never cease to amaze - in addition to heart benefits, it has now been found to stave off memory loss in healthy elderly people. A report in the US journal Neurology found senior citizens who consumed diets high in monounsaturated fats (present in vegetable and olive oils) were less likely to experience mental decline and memory loss. (BBC)
We all know we should eat more spinach - after all, it's full of calcium, iron, and antioxidant vitamins which may help protect against heart disease and cancer. It is also a rich source of folate, necessary for the formation and growth of healthy blood cells, and recommended for women intending to become pregnant. Ireland has one of the lowest intakes of folate in Europe, but a new magazine, Spinach, with recipes from the chef, Conrad Gallagher, could inspire us to eat more of Popeye's favourite food. How about Seared Salmon with Spinach Gnocchi or Goats Cheese and Spinach Polenta Cake to help us increase our folate intake? Available free from the Birds Eye Nutrition Centre, tel 01-496 0244, fax 014975163.
It is estimated more than 10,000 people, 1,500 of whom are children, suffer from ME, or chronic fatigue symptom. The symptoms of this debilitating condition include disturbed sleep and problems of memory and concentration, as well as chronic mental and physical fatigue, and muscle and joint pain. The Irish ME/CFS support group has launched a new booklet Living with ME/CFS which is available from PO Box 3075, Dublin 2. Tel 01-2350965.