Bring in a fair public health service, urges INO

THE emerging two-tier health system which is based on ability to pay and not need should be replaced with a fair and transparent public health service, according to the nurses’ representative body.

General Secretary of the Irish Nurses’ Organisation (INO), Liam Doran, told delegates at the Progressive Democrats Árd Fheis that as the private health system boomed, the public system was becoming increasingly strained.

He reasoned that in excess of 2,000 beds are required, in addition to up to 3,000 continuing care beds if the requirements of Ireland’s aging population are to be met.