| Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health, David Cullinane TD, has called on the Minister for Health to intervene and relieve pressure on local GP and community health services. Teachta Cullinane called on the Minister to roll out directly employed GPs and increase primary care staffing in underserved rural and disadvantaged communities. He also called on the government to back a “Pharmacy First” minor ailments scheme to relieve pressure on general practice. The TD for Waterford said that Minister Stephen Donnelly has had four years to act on growing waiting times for access to local GP services, but that he had failed to take every action available to him. His comments were made as he published the text of a motion which Sinn Féin will table this week for debate in the Dáil. He added that Sinn Féin would be publishing detailed policy proposals in the coming weeks. Teachta Cullinane said: “Local health services are under pressure and communities are suffering from a lack of respect for their needs from government. For the last decade, Fine Gael has ignored the growing health needs of local communities, and this government has failed to take every action available to them. “Sinn Féin is committed to supporting General Practice, directly employing GPs for rural and deprived communities, delivering a Pharmacy First model to relieve pressure from GPs, expanding multi-disciplinary teams, and providing more care in the community in general. A lack of alternative care options in the community is heaping avoidable pressure on acute hospitals and emergency departments. “Budget 2024 was a disaster for the health service. Communities deserve better. Sinn Féin would bring an urgency to improving the health service and inject pace into the delivery of better local services. We would underpin our plans with strategic workforce planning to ensure a sustainable supply of frontline workers. “Care can’t wait, and local communities need support. There are several steps which the government could take immediately to better support local GP and community health services. These are laid out in our motion. It is time for a government of change that will take the necessary actions.” Sinn Féin’s motion can be read here. |
March 18, 2024
Government must intervene to support local health services – David Cullinane TD
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