Report criticises government's health strategy

A report by the National Economic and Social Forum has said that access to medical care should not be affected by ability to pay or geographic location.

The report criticises the government's health strategy for failing to address the time a patient spends waiting for a first consultant appointment after referral by a GP.

It also urges that there should be a specific commitment to ensuring that all admissions to public hospitals are prioritised in accordance with medical needs.