Sinn Féin launches health proposals as trolley figures soar

Speaking at the launch of Sinn Féin’s health proposals ‘Healthcare in Ireland – there
is a better way’ Dublin South west candidate and Tallaght councillor Seán Crowe
said.

“There is a need for comprehensive reform of the health care service in Ireland.
Ireland today has a health sector business, but it doesn’t have a fit for purpose health
care system focussed on patient health and quality of care”.

“It is apt that we launch this policy on the same day as new figures from the Irish
Nurse Organisation Trolley Watch figure showed an 18% increase in the number of
patients on trolleys in 2010 compared to 2009. The steadily deteriorating state of our
accident and emergency facilities is demonstrated by the 49% increase in patients on
trolleys since 2007 when the current government took office”.

“When Micheál Martin was minister for health he promised 600 primary care units
across the state. To date only 200 have been completed.”

Councillor Crowe also highlighted the lack of a thought of strategy for children’s
medical services in Dublin. He said, “It is bonkers that the coalition are proposing
a service where there would be no overnight beds on the south side of Dublin,
children’s lives will be in danger if this comes to pass. The proposals to run down
children’s medical service in Tallaght hospital is a constant concern raised by voters
on the canvas”.

Sinn Féin has proposed that there should be, “A Ministerial-led review of the decision
to build a National Children’s Hospital at the Mater site, given the concerns on
location and the financial question marks over the project. This review should be
carried out in a short time-frame by the new Minister and his or her Department, not
by expensive consultants. The key concern is what is happening to Temple Street,
Crumlin and Tallaght. These hospitals need to be properly resourced and supported to
continue to provide excellent hospital services for children. If the national children’s
hospital goes ahead on the Mater site provision for in-patient care (overnight beds) for
children at Tallaght should remain and the Crumlin Hospital site should be used for
public healthcare provision.”

Councillor Crowe also noted that there was a need to include the Irish Paediatricians
Association in the review process.