The Social Democrats have confirmed that implementation of Sláintecare within the next five years will be a red line issue for the party in any forthcoming programme for government negotiations.
The party set out their position at the launch of their Health and Social Care policy today, which was attended by health spokesperson Róisín Shortall, and general election candidates Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West) and Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow).
In any government formation talks, the party will insist on committed funding for the rollout of the Sláintecare programme – outside of the budgetary process.
The policy also seeks to challenge the creeping privatisation of Ireland’s healthcare services and commits to legislate in five key areas, including:
- For a legal entitlement to healthcare
- For maximum waiting times for treatment, as per the Sláintecare plan
- For legal accountability for senior administrative and clinical staff
- For a new GP contract
- And for a statutory right to homecare.
Commenting on the policy, Róisín Shortall said:
“It is not too much for people to expect decent healthcare, which is a key part of the social contract.
“But instead, Ireland has a dysfunctional two-tier health service which is incapable of meeting patients’ needs.
“This has been characterised by long waiting lists for public health services on one hand, and, on the other, a large cohort of people feeling they need expensive private health insurance. This is essentially a health tax in order to access timely care.
“In 2017, the Sláintecare roadmap was approved by the Dáil with the intention of bringing the country to a point where we would have a fully functioning universal healthcare system, like that enjoyed by many citizens across Europe.
“While some progress has been made, it has been frustratingly slow, largely down to the fact that no specific budget was set aside for its implementation. To realise the radical change we need, full delivery of Sláintecare will be a red line issue for the Social Democrats in any government formation talks.
Rory Hearne said:
“Róisín Shortall was one of the key architects of Sláintecare and, if elected to represent the people of Dublin North-West, I am determined to continue her hard work to see this ambitious plan implemented in full over the lifetime of the next government.
“Delivering a universal healthcare system based on need, and not ability to pay, will require considerable additional spending and a significant focus on workforce planning for the health service.
“However, it is an investment that will pay dividends in the long-term.
“Improving access to GPs in disadvantaged areas is also a key priority for the Social Democrats. The traditional market-based model has failed these communities and that is why charity-run practices, such as GP Care For All, must be enabled to continue their services in Summerhill and expand into other areas, including Finglas West.”
Jennifer Whitmore said:
“The next government must have a laser focus on mental health and disability services, particularly for children and young adults. We need to see major reductions in waiting lists for Assessments of Need and access to Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs), which continue to be under huge pressure due to recruitment and staff retention issues.
“In government, the Social Democrats would continue the phased roll out of free GP care to all age groups and set a pathway towards allocating 10 per cent of the total health budget to mental health services by the end of 2030.
“The level of ambition contained in the policy we are launching today is what is required to create equality of access to healthcare in Ireland – and we are fully committed to delivering it.”
November 21, 2024
NOTE: full text of policy here