A review of the social, medical, ethical and educational issues in the news with links : Unearthing the mystery of what lies beneath the ancient Mound of Down; Credit unions boast 3m members; A&E units ‘being abused by drunks’; Plans ‘reduced St Pat’s trouble’
Unearthing the mystery of what lies beneath the ancient Mound of Down
Belfast telegraph – One of Northern Ireland’s most mysterious ancient monuments is to finally give up its secrets. Excavations have begun at the Mound of Down, a massive earthwork verging the Quoile marshes on the outskirts of Downpatrick. The distinctive monument is larger than four football pitches, with a massive bank and ditch encircling what was once a drumlin island in the marshes — an area of more than three acres. Within the enclosure lies a second earthwork, a U-shaped mound inside another enclosing ditch, 55 metres in diameter. The 12.5-metre high inner mound commands spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, across the Quoile marshes to Inch Abbey and as far as Down Cathedral
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/unearthing-the-mystery-of-what-lies-beneath-the-ancient-mound-of-down-16132883.html
Credit unions boast 3m members
Belfast Telegraph – Credit unions in Ireland boast the largest number of members in Europe, new figures reveal. Three million people are members of the savings and loans unions across the country, which represents 75% of the population. Irish League of Credit Unions chief executive Kieron Brennan said this was testament to the loyalty of its members.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/credit-unions-boast-3m-members-16132644.html
A&E units ‘being abused by drunks’
News Letter – Assembly health committee member Jim Wells has appealed to the public “to use the A&E departments of the Province’s hospitals responsibly and for the purpose for which they are intended”.
The South Down MLA said emergency units were too often used as dumping grounds for drunks and drug users – “and by people who should go to their doctor to be treated, rather than adding to the undue pressure placed on these units”.
Mr Wells was speaking in the aftermath of the death of a 77-year-old man at the Royal Victoria Hospital who lay on a trolley for 22 hours before dying during the early hours of Tuesday morning.
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/a-e-units-being-abused-by-drunks-1-3639825
“Majority” of hospitals have cut 1-year waiting times for patients
TheJournal.ie – The Minister told the Dáil that he was determined to address the issues causing unacceptable delays for hospital patients.
http://www.thejournal.ie/%e2%80%9cmajority%e2%80%9d-of-hospitals-have-cut-1-year-waiting-times-for-patients-383362-Mar2012/
Plans ‘reduced St Pat’s trouble’
NI’s two universities have said planning ahead had greatly contributed to the reduction in trouble in the Holyland area of Belfast over the St Patrick’s Day period.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17426465