Ahern admits that health system failed Susie Long

THE health system failed a cancer patient who won massive public sympathy by speaking about her seven-month wait for treatment to RTÉ Radio’s Joe Duffy talk show, the Taoiseach last night told the Dáil.

Kilkenny woman Susie Long, who died aged 40 on Friday, contacted the Liveline show in January using the name “Rosie”.

She said she had been diagnosed with bowel cancer but had difficulties in accessing proper treatment as a public patient.

The issue was last night raised in the Dáil and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern admitted Ms Long should have been given prompt treatment, regardless of health insurance.

“The system should have allowed Susie Long to be given a diagnosis whether she was a public or a private patient,” he said.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny claimed the government’s health policy had lost touch with the realities of people’s lives.

“This was very different for Susie Long, for those who have been waiting for hip operations, for the children or elderly sitting on hard chairs in accident and emergency units.”

The Taoiseach said that the health budget had increased from €3 billion to €15bn during his 10-year term while the HSE has approved more than €5 million to build a dedicated colonoscopy unit at St Luke’s in Kilkenny.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said: “The Taoiseach looks at the health service from a different perspective from the people who experience it... from the perspective of reports, advice, the HSE and budgets... but the people who have to use the health service see it from the other end. They see it from a plastic chair in a waiting room.”