Our health service needs national government-like approach

THE matter of who will be our Minister for Health following the impending reshuffle should be of grave concern to all of us.

A reshuffle of the ministers around the Cabinet table can be a time of renewal and optimism — what the new appointee will bring to the new department — but there is no sense at all of that applying to the health portfolio.

In fact much of the talk is about how the two men looked upon as the likely next leaders of Fine Gael could destroy their chances of leadership if given the health portfolio by Taoiseach Enda Kenny. No doubt, if either Leo Varadkar or Simon Coveney is appointed to Hawkins House it will be read by many as a sign they are out of favour with the boss. Or if it is given to Richard Bruton it could be seen as the ultimate revenge for his attempt to oust his boss while in opposition.