Health service drifting from crisis to crisis

IT IS a national scandal that at a time of unprecedented economic prosperity, there is a sickness at the heart of our public health service.

Whether reform can be brought about by a universal health insurance system is questionable. What is needed is less bureaucracy and, in the area of health insurance, more competition.

Capital and current resources must also provide, on a planned basis, the essential nursing home and step-down care required to ensure our elderly are properly looked after and acute hospital beds are available to those who require them.