Harney wields the axe and we pick up the pieces

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney has once again demonstrated her ignorance and lack of understanding of her own healthcare system.

Instead she has again bulldozed through half-thought-out legislation and cuts without a single consideration for those left to pick up the pieces – no consideration as to how these cuts filter down the line or how they will affect the patient.

Last week Ms Harney announced that she would cut fees by 35% to pharmacies with less than two weeks’ notice.

Since then, neither she nor her department has been in touch with the pharmacy contractors to advise them of the cuts.

Instead, they must rely on what they read in the press and attempt to rustle up contingency plans to save their businesses while maintaining their responsibility to care for their valued patients. In no way does this foster the vital multidisciplinary teamwork and communication which our health service so badly lacks.

When one examines Minister Harney’s performance as health minister, its clear she does not believe in teamwork. Negotiation is never an option. It seems communication isn’t even an option.

She tells no one of her plans, her reasoning or her justification. Instead jobs are lost, services are compromised and patients suffer with very little (if any) savings to the HSE.

Now, more than ever before in this crisis, we all need to get the best minds together, sit around the table and work out a way to save money, sustain jobs and services and, most importantly, put the patient first.

This is called working as a team, Mary. Maybe you should try it sometime.

Pádraig McGuinness

Pharmacist

Kinlough

Co Leitrim