Letters to the editor: Retain single-tier healthcare after virus

Wed, 06 May, 2020 - 06:59

In response to the recent publication of the Fine Gael/Fianna Fáil framework document, we welcome the promise to expedite Sláintecare and the reiteration of the commitment to universal healthcare services. Ireland’s response to Covid-19 has shown the pressing need to deliver a single-tier health system and our capacity to create — albeit temporarily — a universal health service.

The prioritisation of children’s health and women’s health is also welcome and the plan to ensure that all future consultant contracts in the public system will be for public services builds confidence in the way forward.

We hope that a new programme for government will add to the stated

values of “community and solidarity”, the essence of equality, so all people can access the right care, at the right time and in the right place, without reference to ability to pay.

The pandemic has further exposed, and exacerbated, health inequalities in our society, including those that disproportionately impact on minority ethnic groups, including Travellers and Roma; on people who are homeless, and people living in overcrowded and unsuitable direct provision accommodation. We need a health system that can confront inequities and which will value all key workers, including home-care workers, hospital cleaners, and healthcare assistants, providing them with job security and a fair income.

We are concerned at the absence of older people, and their health and care needs and services, in the framework document. The Covid-19-related nursing home crisis and the gaps in home-care provision show the urgent need to decongregate settings for older people and for people with disabilities, through enhanced care resources in the community.

Universal healthcare requires the identification of quality-of-life measures for individuals and for society. We suggest that a wellbeing section be included in the framework to bring together the health commitments in its other sections, such as on housing, climate action, and youth, which are all linked and contribute to our wellbeing. These elements all require a response that ensures equality of access and equality of outcome.

We ask all the political parties engaged in discussions to ensure that there is no reversion to the old, unequal healthcare delivery system, not for ourselves, our parents, our healthcare colleagues or our children. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do the right thing. We ask all those involved in forming the next government to engage with us when planning the healthcare system we deserve.

National Women’s Council of Ireland

CervicalCheck Patient Support Group

Age Action Age & Opportunity

AkiDwA

Amach LGBT Galway

Barnardos

Care Alliance Ireland

Children’s Rights Alliance

Community Work Ireland

Congress - Irish Congress of Trade Unions

Disability Federation of Ireland

Fórsa