Free GP care to all under- sixes makes no sense

I want to vote for Fine Gael in the next general election, mainly because there is no reliable alternative except maybe Labour. However my vote is contingent on a reversal of one plan:

Young nurses and midwives are emigrating as never before because the land of their birth cannot pay them a living wage. Enda Kenny says it is because of insufficient funds. Did you know that before Christmas, nurses had to approach St Vincent de Paul?

Home helps are fantastic. They keep elderly people sane, fed and out of nursing homes and save enormous money for the health system but there is insufficient funds for a comprehensive expansion of this cadre which in turn would free up expensive acute hospital beds. Insufficient funds is again the response quoted.

Special Needs Assistants are vital for children with special needs. Again insufficient funds are quoted as the reason not to allow those children access the help they need.

Hospital consultant posts are vacant because doctors have a far better quality of life in other countries and a realistic salary. Consultants who had taken up posts in the Irish system have been driven out by lack of proper working facilities and insulting low salaries. The latter is to the great advantage of the British, American and Australian health services. Again insufficient funds is the quoted answer from Fine Gael. Are cancer surgeons or neurosurgeons, who incidentally work all the hours day and night, not worth the same salary at least as the Taoiseach? They often earn 50% less.

We have, and just about still have, the best general practice network in the world. But they are now been screwed by a Health Department which bullies and tells untruths in a wholesale manner and calls this negotiating because of insufficient funds. GPs’ salaries are down, again because of insufficient funds, by approximately 50% and FG expect young people to stay here?

Despite the above, the richest people in the land are to have their children, under 6, treated free by their GP: TDs, industrialists and cabinet ministers, people who have not asked for this freebie, yet the department seems intent on forcing this upon GPs with a “take it or leave it” attitude.

Don’t distribute lollipops and sweets when people need food.

Patrick Kieran.MB, BCh,BAO, D.C.H, D.Obst et Gynae, Rotunda.

MRCOG, M.Obst et Gynae. L’pool. (Retired)

Clara

Orchard Road

Cork