Fianna Fáil to make top docs work seven day-weeks

Fianna Fáil will block doctors from performing all but the most pressing private work in public hospitals, force “senior clinicians” and GPs to work seven-day weeks, and pump €600m more into primary care if elected to the next government.

The moves are outlined in a raft of proposals put forward in the party’s long-delayed health policy plan, which is due to be formally launched next week.

A draft version of the 47-page document, seen by the Irish Examiner, has flagged a series of measures the party believes can convince people to vote Fianna Fáil while also reforming the health service.

Despite the populist tone of the document, it is likely to provoke a harsh reaction from doctors who would see an upsurge in workloads.

According to the document, which was detailed at yesterday’s parliamentary party by health spokesman and Cork North Central TD Billy Kelleher:

• Consultants would be blocked from performing all but the most urgent private work in public hospitals in order to free up space for public patients;
• “Senior clinicians” and GPs will be told to end the “obsession with the five-day week” and instead work seven-day weeks to cut back on “congestion” and reduce emergency department overcrowding;
• €120m extra a year for five years will be invested into primary care, with a significant proportion to be re-routed from acute hospitals;
• A “minimum” of 200 more consultants will be appointed, focusing on geriatricians, obstetricians, neurologists, and emergency medicine experts
• A National Mental Health Authority will be set up with a ringfenced budget.

The policy document — which Fianna Fáil hopes will fill a gap in its pre-election planning repeatedly raised by political rivals — also includes a commitment to keep the HSE, provide an “indicative” five-year health budget to end the “chaos” of the current allocations, and the potential return of the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

It has ruled out introducing universal health insurance and said the under-6s and over-70s free GP care plans will be replaced with moves to give free GP care to all age groups through a long-term eligibility criteria rises.

The health policy dominated Fianna Fáil’s parliamentary party meeting yesterday, and comes a week before its ard fheis.

It is understood the ongoing discussion over Micheál Martin’s leadership was not raised in any major way. Asked about the issue during a scheduled press briefing, Timmy Dooley “categorically” ruled himself out of a leadership bid, while Mr Kelleher said his “role, priority, and focus” is on health.

Meanwhile, at the Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting taking place at the same time, TDs and senators warned the upcoming referendum on lowering the age of eligibility for presidential candidates is “not going down well” with voters.

Campaign director Simon Coveney said he has been told about the lack of interest and in some case opposition to the changes.

One source admitted: “I’d be surprised if it passed.”

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