Whitmore Welcomes Sláintecare Plan

Latest press release from Jennifer Whitmore, issued on Tuesday, May 30th 2017…

Social Democrat Cllr. Jennifer Whitmore welcomes the publication today of a 10-year plan for radical reform of Ireland’s broken health system.

The Sláintecare report is a roadmap to ensure that everybody in Ireland has access to an affordable, universal, single-tier healthcare system in which patients are treated promptly on the basis of need, rather than ability to pay. The report has been produced by the cross-party Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Healthcare which was chaired by Social Democrat co-leader Róisín Shortall TD.

Deputy Shortall said: “Sláintecare is a fully costed plan to transform our failing health system in the best interests of patients and their families. Under our proposals, people will be able to get at least 70 per cent of their primary and social care in their community, rather than having to travel to the nearest acute hospital. This includes treatment for chronic illnesses, minor surgery and diagnostic services.

Cllr. Whitmore said “Sláintecare’s focus on preventive public health and the promotion of healthy lifestyles and mental wellbeing are all vitally important. The focus on allocating health resources at a regional level and setting up regional bodies for delivering integrated care is also very welcome. It is crucial that this report’s detailed implementation proposals are put into action and that the investment needed is made available. 

“People are fed up with lengthy waiting times for appointments, trollies in emergency departments, out-of-pocket charges, and the postcode lottery for care services. This is unique opportunity for long-overdue reform – the government has to act on this and give us a health system which we all deserve.”

Deputy Shortall added: “I would also like to warmly thank my fellow committee members for their hard work and dedication over the past eleven months in seeking answers to the many problems posed by our broken health system. Despite having a broad range of political views, the committee members worked incredibly well together to produce a plan for a universal single-tier health system of which we can all be proud.”