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It’s unacceptable that the acute mental health unit on the grounds of Cork University Hospital is now only 61% compliant with national standards, down from 79% in 2020, according to Social Democrat’s TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who’s the party’s Health spokesperson, said: “Susie Keane, a constituent of mine, has raised the alarm over the […]

The government must urgently act to resolve industrial disputes involving tens of thousands of healthcare workers, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, said: “Today, 6,500 psychiatric nurses began industrial action in a dispute over unsustainable staffing levels. “This is on top of the 80,000 healthcare workers […]

Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice TD has called on the Minister for Health to publish the long-awaited sexual health strategy for Ireland. Deputy Rice, who raised this issue in the Dáil today, said: “Ireland currently has no sexual health strategy. We have been without a comprehensive plan or vision for sexual health services since […]

The outsourcing of car park facilities at public hospitals is just another example of the creeping privatisation of our health service, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “We learned this weekend that the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has cancelled a tender for […]

The deepening crisis in public dentistry requires urgent action from government, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s Health spokesperson, said: “No family should be told that their child will face a decade-long wait for treatment to stop debilitating pain. “The fact that Tiernan Murphy-Power, a six-year-old with autism, […]

Today’s launch of the HSE’s Health app is just one small step in Ireland’s painfully slow implementation of a modern digital health strategy, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “The arrival of the new HSE app, while welcome, is a reminder of how far […]

The National Children’s Hospital debacle looks set to continue well into the term of the new government, with no certainty over how much it will eventually cost or when it will open to young patients, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “We learned today […]

The delivery of elective-only hospitals and proper workforce planning will be key to reducing waiting lists for patients, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s health spokesperson, made his comments in response to the Government’s Waiting List Action Plan 2025. He said: “While I welcome publication of the plan […]

The Minister for Health must urgently address the chronic shortage of public health nurses to prevent the widespread cancellation of routine developmental checks for babies and small children, according to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice, who is the party’s spokesperson on health, said: “It is scandalous that parents across many parts of the […]

The new government must urgently act to halt the worrying use of nicotine pouches by secondary school students, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. “It has been reported today that an increasing number of schools have been sending notices to parents to highlight the ongoing use of these products in classrooms. This follows calls […]